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“MLLE. L’INCONNUE” 


THE AUTOMATIC VOCALIST 



MARIE 













V 


“MLLE. 

L’INCONNUE” 


THE AUTOMATIC VOCALIST 


BY Robert C. Givins. 


'AUTHOR OF 

“The Rich Man’s Fool.” 

“The Millionaire Tramp.” 

“The Unwritten Will.” 

“Letters of Trip ’round the World,” etc. 


1909. 


COPYRIGHTED 1909 BY 

ROBERT C. GIVINS, CHICAGO 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 


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“MLLE. L’INCONNUE" 


THE AUTOMATIC VOCALIST. 


By Robert C. Givins. 


CHAPTER I. 

O N the Rue du Faubourg, Paris, in the fourth 
story of a seedy old building two boys 
lived alone. They struggled hard tO' sub- 
sist upon the meager wages earned by 
Jacques, the elder boy, who was employed in a toy 
manufactory where their uncle, Pierre Envois, had 

worked for years. 
They were cous- 
ins. Fate had de- 
prived them o f 
their natural guar- 
dians. Jacques 
and Edouard were 
therefore proofs 
of that ancient 
sentiment, ‘The 
good are better made by ill, as flowers, crushed, are 
sweeter still.’’ 

“How many herring remain in the box?” in- 
quired Jacques, who had just returned from the 
factory. 

Plenty for our supper ; and I have some nice 
hot rolls and a little honey, too,” replied Edouard, 
the younger, who'Sie bright, cheerful face always 
bore the impress of hope. 



12 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


There is one trait in human character whose 
beauty no one questions, and that is true friendship. 
Jacques and Edouard, opposite in temperament, 
were still the firmest of friends. 

''Good! dear Edouard. You know how I like 
real honey. Where on earth did you get it?’’ 

"Oh,” replied Edouard, laughing, "I earned a 
few sous carrying water up for Madame Bogaire, 
and a farmer’s wife, with a wagon, requested me 
to hold her horse while she peddled honey about. 
For this she gave me a pound at half price. Think 
of it, Jacques 1 — real honey, made by live bees !” 

After supper, by the light of a small oil lamp, 
they read aloud, as was their custom, respecting 
the late wonderful inventions in electricity. "Jac- 
ques,” said Edouard, interrupting, "why cannot we 
invent something? Why not study up the uses and 
applications of this new' marvel and make our 
fortune?” 

"Poor boy,” replied Jacques, "always hopeful.” 
Jacques’ nineteen years were full of adversities and 
bitter disappointments. 

"Yes, Jacques, why can’t we invent something 
that will bring us fame and fortune?” 

Jacques, who of late had become an earnest 
student, with grave face, and not inclined to sen- 
sationalism like his younger cousin, said, "It 
takes time, study and thought, Edouard, to invent. 
Copying is one thing; original invention is another.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


13 


“I have it/’ replied Edouard. '‘Let us make an 
electric woman — one that can walk, talk and sing 
on the stage.” 

Jacques smiled grimly. 'T am afraid, my boy, 
it would be a fright. It might prove another Frank- 
enstein, like the terror we read about the other 
night. Anyway,” continued Jacques, "it will be 
amusing, and it might frighten Uncle Pierre when 
he comes up the dark stairs some night.” 

"What a joke,” continued Edouard. "Madame 
Bogaire might raise our rent, thinking we had a 
boarder.” 

"Never mind, however,” urged Jacques, "the 
construction work will furnish us with many points 
about the art of moving things with electrical 
power, and for that reason, principally, I am in 
favor of your scheme. It will cost us many nights 
of hard work, boy, and hundreds of francs, to gel 
this queer creature in shape before it will frighten 
even the black cat, let alone LTncle Pierre. But 1 
am with you. Let us try it.” 

"Why, I believe,” said Edouard, proudly, "that 
we can make an automatic woman so perfect that 
she will deceive an audience. We will have her 
walk out in the middle of the stage, and the audi- 
ence never can guess whether she is alive or not.’ 

"Yes, yes,” said Jacques, laughing, "and sing the 
Marseillaise, I s,uppose.” 

"Why not,” replied Edouard. 

"Bah, how would you make her sing? Don’t 
you think you are now going too far?” 


14 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Edouard, raising his hands enthusiastically, re- 
plied : '‘Why, don’t you know? Put a phonograph 
inside of her.” 

“But I am afraid,” said Jacques,, "that she might 
lose her balance, topple over head first, and dis- 
perse the audience in a panic.” 

“Uncle Pierre said last night,” replied Edouard, 
"he could make a figure of an animal that could 
walk in any direction by electrical power. Why, 
Jacques, you conservative old fellow, we might get 
our electrical lady a position in a cafe chantant, 
and she might earn enough to pay her board if 
Madame Bogaire demands it.” "Yes,” continued 
Edouard, "and our board, too, and thousands of 
francs besides. Let us ask L^ncle Pierre what he 
thinks of it,” said Edouard, placing his hands affec- 
tionately on his cousin’s shoulder. 

"No, no,” said Jacques, "Uncle is very jealous. 
He will believe we are too young to attempt such 
a feat. He might not assist us. In fact, he might 
strongly oppose the whole thing.” Jacques 
thought a few seconds, and then replied, "We will 
work on your dear lady alone, and we must keep 
her a dead secret to the world for the present. 

"Agreed, agreed,” they said again, and shook 
hands. 

"What shall we call her?” said Edouard, his 
cheeks flushing at the idea. 

"You name the queer creature — she is your 
original idea.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


15 


That night Edouard thought over a dozen 
names, and finally decided “MLLE. LTNCON- 
NUE,” (The Unknown), would be appropriate. 

There was a small work-shop in the attic of 
their building, formerly occupied by an old man 
who worked in wax and made figures for hats in 
the millinery stores. He had gone back to England 
recently, and this room was for rent at two francs 
per week. The electrical establishment where 
Uncle Pierre worked had added the manufacturing 
of a certain electrical appliance, and Edouard, at 
the request of Uncle Pierre, had also secured a 
situation. With the small earnings of both they 
were able to save considerable, and thus carry on 
their project. Duplicate keys of the attic were safely 
kept, and no one was permitted to enter except 
the cousins. Madame Bogaire, the proprietress of 
the old building, who occupied a room on the 
ground floor, being a cripple, seldom climbed tO' the 
fifth story, and to reach the attic required the ascent 
of one more flight. As the iron railing of the 
tumbledown old balcony in front of the attic win- 
dow had long since dropped to the sidewalk, there 
was little danger of inquisitive persons trying to 
peer into the window. 

'‘Safe/’ said Edouard, as he spied about, and 
examined the lock, which was of modern design. 

“Do you know, my boy,” said Jacques, one day, 
“that we are in for an exceedingly laborious work. 
It will require numerous experiments and no end 
of study before we can produce anything but a 


16 


The Automatic Vocalist. 

' < ' 

large comic doll as hideous as the worst looking 
manikin in the toy factory. And, if we fail, we will 
become the laughing stock of the establishment.’’ 

‘'I have thought of that,” replied Edouard. '‘But 
even should we fail, we will have conquered many 
small things which to us now seem impossible.” 

"It is for that reason,” said the grave Jacques, 
"that I go intO' it with such heart. We may learn 
much by the attempt. We must first construct a 
frame of strong wire, about the size we want ‘IT’ 
to be. Pardon mle, Edouard, Mile L’Inconnue, I 
mean.” 

"As tall as Marie who brings the milk,” said 
Edouard, smiling. 

"Ah, you are observing. I never noticed Marie’s 
height. In fact, I don’t believe I would know her 
if I should meet her. She leaves the milk at the 
door at 5 .*30 a. m., and is gone like a fairy. Have 
you talked with her?” 

"Yes,” replied Edouard, blushing slightly; "that 
Sunday you went up the Seine with Uncle Pierre, 
she was late and apologized to me. I was playing 
the old guitar, and hum.ming a tune. 'What a nice 
accompaniment you play,’ she said, as she put her 
head in the door, only for five seconds — and then she 
was gone. As she tripped down stairs, she sang a 
few lines. Ah, what a voice !” said Edouard, rais- 
ing his arms high in the air. "It was like some 
wonderful singing-bird or sweet-toned instrument. 
I was astonished.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


17 


“Have you not seen her since?'’ 

“No, she conies to the door when we are slum- 
bering away, and I leave the money under the mat 
for her ; and no one, probably, but Madame Bogaire 
knows where she lives." 

“The reason I inquired, Eidouard, is this: You 
spoke about our — our woman — singing on the’ stage. 
To do this we must secure the voice of an angel, 
for ordinary good singers are now quite common. 
A wax woman will be a rank failure unless she 
possesses, at least, a superb voice. Then, how tall 
do you think thisi Marie is?" 

“She was tall for a girl — five feet, six, I should 
say. Remember, I only saw her face a moment, the 
time she leaned forward to peep in the door." 

“Well," said Jacques, interested, “that old 
Giotto, the Italian, who sells plaster of paris casts at 
the boat landing on the Seine, could construct a form 
for us. He has many models of Venus,es and 
nymphs — and I think he is a sculptor, because he 
sold a marble sfatuette, most exquisitely executed, 
if I know anything about it, to some tourists that 
Sunday we went up the river." 

“How glad I am, Jacques, that you have thought 
of this. It will be so necessary to have a perfect 
form. Why, Madame Bogaire siaid that the old 
wax-worker who occupied the attic room could 
construct a female face so lifelike that she was 
always startled when he carried his figures down- 
stairs." 


18 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


''Oh, I don’t believe, Edouard, in going intO' this 
thing in a haphazard way. If necessary, we will 
work for years before we launch our coming lady 
before the footlights. For the present we must con- 
tent ourselves to secure the services of Giotto and 
construct our frame. All the electrical work, phono.- 
graphs, the imitation of the human voice, and the 
devices for the movement of the muscles and the 
bogus breathing will become a matter for future 
study.” 

"Will she be a blonde or brunette?” asked 
Edouard anxiously. 

"Has Marie light or dark hair?” 

"Light.” 

"The reason I asked,” said Jacques,, "is, we must 
have some sort of model, and in some respects per- 
haps Marie might do.” 

"Marie has a sweet face,” replied Edouard. 
"That is, all I could see of it was sweet — pretty 
teeth, and oh, that smile!” 

"She smiled sweetly?” remarked Jacques. "It 
is wonderful that you remember that one glance of 
Marie so exceedingly well. I suppose,” continued 
Jacques, "it would frighten the milk-girl into a fit 
if we should propose that she should become our 
model.” 

"It will take time to do^ this,” said Edouard, 
who was deciding in his mind how he could become 
better acquainted with Marie. "I play, and she 
sings,” he remarked to himself. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


19 


CHAPTER 11. 

O LD GIOTTO was a friendly old man. 

He had some trouble with the Italian 
governmient in Florence, and several 
years ago had removed to Paris. He was 
a sculptor of ability, and was thoroughly versed in 
the art of constructing the human form by scientific 

measurement. It 
was the intention 
of the boys to first 
construct a strong 
wire frame for 
their figure, and 
then complete the 
interior with vari- 
ous electrical ap- 
pliances. To en- 
able them to complete the frame, Giotto’s services 
were summoned. The wire frame was to be con- 
structed in his shop. The old man was delighted 
to find two youths with such ambition. He would 
aid them to the best of his ability. But why did 
they only desire the frame alone? 

''We are studying the making of figures in 
wax,” said Jacques, "and, as it is our first lesson, 
we prefer to invent asi we go along.” 

"You should have a plaster mould to work on, 1 
think,” said Giotto. "But really, I know nothing of 
working in wax. The frame is easily made,” con- 
tinued Giotto, "I can bend the wire and create the 




20 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


form, but a tinsmith or a plumber must help me 
make the joints/’ 

'‘Oh, we can do that,” said Edouard, "because 
we learned that at the works.” 

In a few days Giotto had the wire model com- 
plete. "It is the form of a Venus,” he said, "but 
stands a little too straight.” 

"It will do well,” said Jacques, taking the wire 
form in his arms, while Edouard thanked Giotto 
for his most reasonable bill. 

A strong iron bar ran down the spine, from the 
neck to the legs, upon which could be hung heavy 
electrical appliances and batteries. It took many 
difficult nights before the boys succeeded in getting 
swinging hinges for the arms and legs, so they 
would move easily and stand steadily when placed 
in a certain position. Jacques frequently paused in 
his efforts, but Edouard worked steadily and per- 
sistently on, and the big lamp in the attic room 
was seldom turned out before midnight. As their 
day’s work at the factory, however, was of a light 
nature, they were seldom fatigued. A set of bat- 
teries worked the arms, another the legs, and a pow- 
erful electric current, from a battery in the center 
of the body, furnished power to move the various 
false muscles of this wonderfully constructed form. 
After three months’ experimenting, the frame would 
walk a few steps and raise her arms at the touch 
of a button in her back. The workers were en- 
couraged. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


21 


CHAPTER III. 

T he aged wax figure worker returned. He 
had gone home to visit his sister in 
London. He had secured another room 
in the attic of the adjoining building and 
resumed his works of art. Edouard called on him, 
and arranged to have him make a bust and head of 

wax, arms also, 
and lower portions 
of a pair of legs. 

“To make the 
form a success,^’ 
said the old man, 
thoughtfully, ‘T 
should have a 
model.’' 

“What shall we 
do?” said Jacques. “A real woman model will cost 
more than our combined salaries. There is such a 
demand for them in the art classes by the visiting 
Americans and other students of art and 
sculpturing.” 

“MARIE !” suggested Edouard. 

“Impossible,” replied Jacques. “Marie would 
drop her milk and collapse at the very suggestion 
of such a thing.” 

“I don’t know,” said Edouard. “I met her again 
last Sunday. I intended to tell you all about it. 
Madame Bogaire gave me her address. She lives 
with her aunt, a mile down the Cours de Vincennes. 



22 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


They are very poor, but not as poor as we are. They 
have three cows and a dozen chickens. When I 
passed the door of the small cottage she was on the 
porch, dressed in white, wearing a bright blue sash, 
and she had blue ribbons in her hair. And as she 
did not see me, she was singing; or else she was 
singing because she did see me — I don’t know 
which. I introduced myself as one of her customers. 
Her old aunt approved. She had a kindly face, and, 
as she was about tO' hand Marie a cup of tea and a 
small cake, she invited me also tO' accept — which I 
did. T have only caught one glance of you,’ I said, 
'since you have been bringing the milk.’ 'Yes,’ she 
replied, 'the day I was late.’ 'Now, Marie — I think 
that is your name — the reason I called was this : 
That morning, you remember, as you passed down 
the stairs, you sang a line of some song. It has 
been ringing in my ears ever since.’ Marie laughed 
and showed her splendid teeth. 'You are joking,’ 
she replied; 'why, I cannot sing.’ 'You may not 
be able to sing,’ I replied, 'but you have the sweetest 
voice I ever remember hearing. And a song by a 
s.weet voice suits me better than an opera.’ Marie 
laughed and hid her face in her handkerchief. 
'Really,’ she said, 'it waa rude of me tO' put my head 
in your door that morning. But I thought you would 
be angry about the delay in getting the milk.’ 
'Cousin Jacques and I live alone, like a couple 
of old bears, and never see any one. Marie, I would 
like to hear you sing again. I can play the guitar, 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


23 


and accompany you in any key if you hum the air 
over once. ‘Marie thought a minute. T heard you 
play/ was all she said. ‘Jacques is queer/ I told her, 
about some things, and does nof like singing. But I 
know he would like to hear you ever so much.' " 

Jacques nodded his head. 

This peculiar human mind of ours is so singm 
larly constructed that what we do for selfish pur- 
poses is frequently construed to mean genuine afifec- 
tion. Poor Marie believed at once she had a beau, 
and ambitious Edouard, contrary to her expecta- 
tion, was merely coniving to secure a voice for 
“Mile. LTnconnue." 

Edouard was to bring his guitar and music the 
following Sunday and play for Marie to sing, while 
Jacques was to look up a new quality of wax for the 
wax figure maker, a kind that would adhere firmly 
to the plaster cast. Jacque'Si sighed frequently as 
he thought over the numerous difficulties in the way 
of their success. “One is," he said, “tO' get a cast 
of Marie’s face, if she is as beautiful as Edouard 
describes her. Another is to have the flesh tint so 
lifelike that it will deceive the most scrutinizing 
glances of a promiscuous audience. And, last, to 
have the mechanism of the phonographic depart- 
ment of the coming wonder so^ perfect that there 
can be no break or mishap during the singing. Ah, 
I will go down to* the window of the millinery 
stores of the Louvre, where old Dobson’s wax 
figures are displayed.’’ 


24 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Jacques looked in the window at the figures upon 
whose head were the latest designs of millinery — 
little hats and big hats, and immense spring hats 
with an entire flower garden on them, “Wonder- 
ful, wonderful, old man,’’ he said. “I remember,” 
said Jacques, soliloquizing to himself, “that he said 
he had worked, when a younger man, in Madame 
Tussaud’s great wax figure gallery of London, 
and had studied the art for over a quarter of a cen- 
tury. These faces would deceive any one at a slight 
distance.” 

“Ah,” sighed Jacques, “but how shall we pro- 
cure the model? I have it! — We will get old Dob- 
son to secure the services of Marie, or some other 
girl, and she will never suspect.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


25 


CHAPTER IV. 

E douard was progressing finely. He 

played in the key of G or C, or any other 

key adapted to Marie’s voice, and she sang 
like a young canary, only sweeter. She 
did understand music, Edouard discovered. She 
had studied at the public school, and had taken 

several lessons in 
English from a 
lady, a local in- 
structor residing 
one block from 
their cottage. 

As the work on 
“Mademofee lie” 
progressed, a 
series of elec- 
tric buttons were strewn along her spine and 

she contained numerous watts, clocks and unique 
appliances in her interior. She could curtsy 
and smile by touching buttons ISTo. 3 and 7; 
she could walk straight forward and back off the 
stage. NeverthelestS, she was decidedly awkward 
up to date. Old Dobson decided, after several at- 
tempts, that a photograph of M;arie was all he 
could secure. She declined absolutely to pose for a 
wax figure in any shape or manner. Edouard was 
disconcerted, but not disheartened. 

^T can easily get her to give me her photograph, 
and if old Dobson can see the exact shape of her 




26 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


head and neck, he can make the figure, — at least he 
says so, and you know, Jacques, he has a marvelous 
eye. He copies the faces of the girls in the stores so 
perfectly one can identify them at a glance.’’ 

As the cousins worked diligently in the daytime, 
their proficiency became so apparent that the toy 
factory firm almost doubled their wages. Their 
Uncle Pierre also had succeeded in inventing a mar- 
velous electrical toy, which brought fame to the 
house, and he was given a slight percentage on the 
sale of this and other toys of his invention. 

It was a year since Edouard suggested his mar- 
velous proposition, and ''Mile. L’Inconnue” was 
almost complete. She could walk on the stage, 
that is, the improvised stage erected for her by 
Jacques and Edouard. She could salute, bow, curtsy, 
smile sweetly — exhibiting her teeth, wave her 
handkerchief, move her eyes — even flirt with her 
eyes. Heretofore she merely wore a costume of cheap 
muslin and mosquito netting. Now a beautiful 
stage dress was being m.ade by Picard for her, and 
another was designed in case she proved a success. 
The exact measurements were given by Edouard, 
who had to make out a story at the tailoring estab - 
lishment to the effect that the dress was to be sent 
to America. Jacques looked after the wax part, and 
the interior works and appliances — as he had by 
this time become a proficient electrician, while 
Edouard’s duty was to insert the various appli- 
ances in the proper places in the head, neck and 
body of the figure. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


27 


Marie had not the slightest objection to singing 
her best and most popular songs in the records of 
the peculiarly constructed phonograph. But when 
it came to saying, “Good night, my dear Edouard.’’ 
she hesitated. 

“Why do you wish me to say that?” she asked, 
with crimson in her cheeks. 

“Oh, Marie,” he replied, “sometimes I am so 
lonely, it will cheer me a little.” Then he held 
her hand, and she said sweetly, “Good night, good 
night, my dear Edouard.” 

The little recording instrument held records of 
all Marie’s pretty songs, and, with great skill, was 
installed in the upper portions of Mile. L’lncon- 
nue’s wax breast. Marie’s hair, face, neck, bust, 
size, height and figure had been copied, and Giotto’s 
plaster cast completely and scientifically covered by 
Mr. Dobson’s tinted wax. A beautiful head of 
light golden, but not red, hair appeared under the 
latest spring style of hat, together with a marvelous 
dream of a dress with a long train. 

“That train, I am afraid,” said Jacques, “will be 
a great nuisance. How can you get at the buttons 
on her back?” 

“Why, I have arranged all that,” replied 
Edouard. “We will set the button for advancing at 
Nb. i; No. 3 will be curtsy; No. 7, a smile; No. 8 
will be to raise the music in position, and No. 9 
sing; then the back-ofif will be No. 10. I will allow 
her time to sing, becaus,e, if she does stand still half 


28 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


a minute it will probably be about the length of the 
applause, and there will be no awkward pause/’ 

“You are a grand success, my LTnconnue,” 
Edouard remarked, as he took a last look and was 
about to close the door of the attic room one night. 
He paused a second. “Ah, you look so beautiful,” 
he said, “I love you. How I wish you could speak 
tO' me,” Edouard exclaimed enthusiastically. 

It was( ten by the clock in the interior of Mile. 
LTnconnue — the exact time she was to say, “Good 
night, good night, my dear Edouard.” 

Edouard gasped for breath. “Great Heavens! 
What does this mean?” he said excitedly. Then he 
remembered he had that day installed in the figure 
the words which Marie had recorded in the phono- 
graph, and he laughed outright. 

Jacques, who met Edouard at their room shortly 
after this occurrence, remarked, “Edouard, you ap- 
pear happy. Are we on the eve of success?” 

“I should say we are. Why, I have just been 
frightened half to death by my own folly. I in- 
serted Marie’s words in the lower phonograph to- 
day, and forgot to turn off the starting lever. These 
words were set for ten o’clock on the minute, and 
that was the time that I was about to shut the 
door and lock the figure in — and the thing spoke 
to me ! At first I thought it was a ghost !” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


29 


CHAPTER V. 

E douard and Jacques, having completed 
their wonderful work, sauntered out one 
evening down the Bois de Boulogne, in- 
tending to find a theatre comique or cafe 
chantant which might seem favorable for the in- 
troduction of the new songstress. They spoke to 

several managers 
of the smaller 
cafes about their 
invention. But all 
shook their heads, 
saying, “we have 
too many singers 
now. If you can 
bring one here 
who can dance, 
we might figure with you.'’ At the doors of several 
of the larger cafes chantants a small notice an- 
nounced, “No singers wanted." 

Rather disheartened they returned to their 
apartment and discussed the situation. Edouard de- 
cided that it would be better for them first to ex- 
hibit their mechanical figure to some manager, and 
explain to him the entire scheme, before attempting 
to make a contract. 

After many rebuffs and sneers from the various 
pompous, fussy little managers along the boulevards, 
they found one who listened to their story, and, like 
Columbus, they at last secured a hearing. He was 



30 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


the manager of the Varieties. He listened to their 
story, blit shook his head doubtfully. They were 
about to leave his office, when the manager, who 
had a kindly face, remarked: 

'T like enterprise; especially in boys. I will see 
what you have. To-morrow, Sunday, at lo a. 
m., I will call upon you. Be there, as my time is 
valuable.’’ Taking their names and addresses, he 
folded the card in his pocket and bade the young 
inventors good night. 

''You see I was right,” said Edouard, as they 
left the office. "Those cheap proprietors of the 
stnaller cafes could not understand wihat we were 
trying to explain, and merely shook their heads to 
get rid of us. This manager runs the biggest vaude- 
ville show in the city, and you can see he has 
some sense.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


31 


CHAPTER VI. 

T he manager of the Varieties was on time, 
and walked up the four flights, puffing, 
and remarking to himself, 'Thew, I am 
becoming so heavy, it is a great effort for 
me to climb stairs/’ 

The boys were so excited at the arrival of a real 

manager in their 
humble apartment 
they could scarce- 
ly find words to 
express them- 
selves. One more 
flight, and a fev/ 
more puffs from 
the fat manager, 
and he stood 
face to face with the coming sensation of Paris, 
Mile. LTnconnue. 

He raised his hat, as all polite managers do in 
the presence of a lady — but said nothing for a long 
minute. He gazed steadfastly at the marvelous 
imitation of a human being. Then — 

“Mon Dieu ! It is grand! It is superb! I am 
delighted !” 

Putting his hand, in a friendly manner, on 
Edouard’s shoulder, he said, “Now, show me what 
she can do.” 

Jacques manipulated the buttons. The figure 
walked forward a step or two, and curtsied. 



32 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Another button was touched, and the figure grace- 
fully raised her right hand in which she held a 
sheet of music; the left hand followed, and caught 
the music also. ' And then Mile. LTnconnue sang 
sweetly a popular song of the day. The manager 
turned pale, laid his hat upon a bench, and said — 

'‘Grand, grand ! I don’t know what I can say.” 

Then Jacques touched the retiring button, and 
the figure bowed gracefully and retired to the cor- 
ner of the stage. 

'Tt is a magnificent success,” shouted the man- 
ager, excitedly. 'T will not pretend that it is not a 
success to enable me to secure a good contract. 
Name your price. It is a splendid scheme, and will 
fill the house for weeks.” 

“We have labored on this for over a year,” said 
Jacques. “Make us a proposition, with a scale; 
so that if the 'Mile.’ proves a great success, we can 
receive benefits accordingly.” 

The manager Srat down on a broken chair, and 
taking out his memorandum book, added up the ex- 
penses of various coming attractions at his theatre. 
Then he replied, quietly, “I will do this for you. I 
will give you 2,000 francs for the first week, 
whether we are successful or not. And if the figure 
proves the success I think she will I may double or 
treble that sum. But, if I introduce her, and make 
a great success the first week, you must agree to 
deal only with me in the future for at least a year.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


38 


Jacques, who had an eye for business, was very 
cautious. He hesitated for a few minutes, while 
Edouard looked on as if expecting him to answer 
and agree to the proposition. 

'^Suppose this proves a great success,’’ Jacques 
said to the manager, “and your theatre is crowded 
right along for weeks?’' 

“Then,” said the manager, “if that comes true, 
I will deal most liberally with you, and you can 
depend upon it. Put this in a memorandum, and I 
will sign it.” 

The temporary contract being agreed upon, a 
night was set for Mile. L’Inconnue to appear at the 
Varieties and sing the latest, sweetest, and most 
popular songs of the day. 


34 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER VIL 

S HALL we invite Marie and her aunt the 
first night?’’ Edouard inquired of 
Jacques. 

“Why not?” answered Jacques. “We 
may as well, first as last, make her aware of the 
deception.” 

“What I a m 
afraid of,” said 
Edouard, thought- 
fully, “is that, 
when she hears 
her songs, she will 
become annoyed 
at the many 
stories I have told 
her to get her 
to sing in the Edison records, and may throw 
the whole thing up and declare that we 
are humbugs, and have nothing more to do with 
us. She is very high-minded, and there is no tell- 
ing how much she may hate deception. I have 
already received a little intimation to that effect.” 

Jacques replied coldly, “Oh, we have now 
passed the doubting limit — and perhaps a little 
money may cajole Marie into continuing her sing- 
ing.” 

“Don’t you believe it for one minute,” said 
Edouard, his eyes flashing. “Marie wouldn’t do 




The Automatic Vocalist. 


35 


anything she didn't want to for all the money in 
Paris." 

“Lord, she's high-toned for a milk-maid," re- 
sponded Jacques, with a sneer. 

“She won't be a milk-maid long," said Edouard, 
patting his serious cousin on the shoulder, “be- 
cause she is going to get some of the francs ; and 
she is entitled to them." 

Jacques then turned to Edouard, saying, “Never 
mind, boy. Did you see how delighted and enrap- 
tured M. Jolie of the Varieties was when he 
heard the first song? And he, you know, must 
have tested thousands of voices in his day. I will 
concede, we can never get another Marie. That 
voice, the manager said, was free from mannerisms 
and affectation, and when he slapped his hands and 
said, 'Bravo, bravo, bravissimo !' I then knew he 
meant it. Don't you see, Edouard, how he could 
have deceived us. He could have made us believe 
that the whole thing would not go at all, and that 
we might become failures and a laughing stock, and 
then held us down to a contract that would have 
been all one-sided. No doubt, he is a shrewd man. 
But the 'Mademoiselle' threw him completely off 
his guard. Now, Edouard," said Jacques, in a 
whisper, “you are gaining in worldly knowledge 
every day. Keep in with Marie; we will demand a 
box for Marie and her aunt the first night." 

The buttons running down Mademoiselle's back 
would not do. “You see," exclaimed M. Jolie 
to Jacques, at the first rehearsal, “I intend, at least 


36 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


for the first few weeks, to deceive the audience, and 
permit them to believe, as they will, that it is a 
woman fixed up tO' resemble an automatic figure. 
After that, they will probably discover through the 
stage hands and others, that it is all mechanical. 
We will let them keep guessing, don^t you see, and 
the more they guess, the better it will be for us. 
Diable! How will it do for you or Edouard to 
be running in touching buttons on her back every 
time she moves or sings. Don’t you see it would 
be preposterous. It will never do.” 

Jacques knew that sooner or later his Uncle 
Pierre would become aware of the new addition to 
the family, and he decided, with M. Jolie, that 
it would be better now to let him into the secret. 
Uncle Pierre, who was fast becoming a famous 
inventor in the construction of new appliances, was 
called next day to the manager’s office. And when 
it was explained to him that his nephews had in- 
vented and built the wonderful automatic woman he 
was amazed and delighted. M. Jolie explained to 
him the necessity for doing away with the buttons 
on the figure’s back. 

''Quite simple,” replied Pierre, s^miling, "Why 
a switchboard is what you want. This can be 
placed in the flies, the buttons all done away with, 
and the figure operated without the knowledge or 
sight of the audience. Fine wires, invisible from 
the other side of the foot-lights, can be used and 
no one will be aware of the fact.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


37 


M. Jolie paced the floor. ^^Get to> work at once,’' 
he said, “get your switchboard in, and have it 
ready as soon as possible. Never mind the 
expense.” 

Pierre nodded his head. ‘T can do it in one 
day. Quite simple. And Jacques can operate iP at 
once, upon its completion.” 

Mile. LTnconnue was to remain in the man- 
ager’s oflice for the present. No one was to see her, 
except those directly interested, until her debut the 
enSiUing month. 

It’s a queer thing,” said Edouard, stretching 
himself out wearily on his humble bed one night, 
for he had worked many extra hours at the estab- 
lishment that day. “Indeed, it is strange that I 
should love that inanimate thing ! I see her face 
constantly before me ; I feel as though she recog- 
nizes me. Pagans worship idols ; men love dogs, 
and women, cats and birds — ^but who ever thought 
of loving a mechanical toy like this ! Young chil- 
dren love their dolls. American children love their 
Teddy bears. And some old maids really love their 
senseless, whining poodles and chattering parrots. 
But here I am, dead in love with Mile. L’lncon- 
nue — a plaster cast covered over with wax, and all 
fraud — every particle of her a deception ; false hair, 
false eyes, false teeth ; her interior filled with elec- 
tric appliances, watts, wires, springs, hinges and a 
thousand devices and complications; she is full of 
clocks and m^chinerv, a new kind of phonograph 
and receptacles for records — a most inhuman mon - 


38 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


ster in every way — and still I love her ! I love 
every particle of thisi made-up monstrocity. Her 
face seems more beautiful than Marie’s. Her 
voice, if possible, is far sweeter. That golden hair, 
that heavenly smile, that tender, loving expression 
in her eyes; — I cannot help it — I love this mechanical 
toy. To me she seems divine. Yes, I love the 
great Mile. LTnconnue ! I know I am a fool — but 
what matter.^” Then he laughed, and said earnestly, 
“At least she will remain true to me and will never 
go astray.’’ 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


39 


CHAPTER VIII. 

T he manager had secured, by the aid of 
a famous photographer, a beautiful col- 
ored portrait of the “coming star,’’ and 
these portraits were being circulated and 
posted in the leading windows and prominent places 
in Paris. Jacques appeared to possess greater 

executive ability 
and skill than 
Edouard, and 
nearly all the 
management o f 
the enterprise was 
committed to him. 
Although but 
twenty years of 
age, Jacques Lu- 
vois was one of the most prominent stu- 
dents in the city of Paris, and he was fast prov- 
ing himself to be a genuine genius. He never 
rested whenever the slightest imperfection was 
discovered in the completion of the wonderful wo- 
man. He studied far into the night, devouring 
every recent publication on the subject of electric- 
ity. He had planned out every new improvement 
and design applicable to the interior works of the 
figure, and was about to proclaim Mile. L’lncon- 
nue as perfect a woman as mechanism could make 
her. 




40 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


No famous work was ever accomplished in the 
world without the originators undergoing and ex- 
periencing some great disappointment. M. Jolie, 
some time prior to the debut of Mile. L’Inconnue 
at the Varieties, sat in a prominent cafe chantant 
along the Bois, de Boulogne, talking earnestly 
with four well-dressed, gentlemanly appearing men 
of mature age. 

“It is a dangerous experiment,’' said M. Caba- 
nel. “As one of the Board of Directors, I am de- 
cidedly opposed to it.” 

“Not so strenuous, my dear Cabanel,” remarked 
M. Rousseau, who was simoking his cigarette 
quietly and leaning back in his chair. 

Monsieur Merri remarked, “Let us give the mat- 
ter full consideration before coming to a decision. 
I am rather in favor of having the figure perform, 
provided there is nO' possible chance of a failure.” 

Cabanel rose to his feet, remarking, in an ex- 
cited manner, “It is the most preposterous thing I 
have ever heard of. The introduction of this wo- 
man upon the stage will invite the attention of all 
the scientists of Paris. The movement of the figure 
will be scrutinized, and no doubt it will cause the 
most intense excitement that has been produced 
upon any stage for a century. What I fear is that 
it will be a failure ; that the singing will give out 
in the middle of a song, and the most absurd con- 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


41 


sequences will result from her introduction, and we 
will become butts for ridicule among our friends 
and every other proprietor will regard us as 'failed 
humbugs/ 

M. Chavet sat sipping his claret, and said 
nothing. 

After a long pause in the conversation, Rousseau 
remarked. "Why not have M. Jolie invite those 
boys who have perpetrated this monstrosity, or 
whatever you may call it, to a meeting — dinner — if 
you like, and have them explain to us the entire 
workings of this proposed figure ; how it can be 
operated ; how long the songs will last, and every 
feature of — what-you-call her?” (looking at M. 
Jolie). M. Jolie replied, smiling, "The coming 
songstress of France — Mile. LTnconnue.” 

"I think we are creating a tempest in a teapot,” 
remarked Merri. "If this figure has proved a suc- 
cess before M. Jolie, and he is satisfied that it will 
work smoothly, why not let us, give the perform- 
ance as advertised?” 

Cabanel insisted that the meeting with young 
Luvois, who had charge of the enterprise, take 
place at once, and preparations were made to meet 
for dinner at the Lion d’Or the ensuing evening. 

At the dinner, the four directors, together with 
M. Jolie and Jacques and Edouard, completed the 
assemblage. Uncle Pierre was to be called in later, 
if necessary, tO' explain some of the effects of elec- 


42 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


trical power. After the dinner was over, the seats 
were moved back from the table and a good brand 
of cigars and wine brought on, and the company 
decided that they would pass upon this important 
subject before they left — even though it should 
take till after midnight to finish the discussion. 

'‘Let me ask,” said Cabanal to Jacques,, “how 
you are going to produce good singing from one 
of those abominable phonographs. I detest themi !” 

Edouard colored slightly but remained ailent. 

“At first,” said Jacques, rising to his feet — 

“Sit down, my dear sir, this is nothing but a lit- 
tle dissertation,” said M. Rousseau, not a banquet.” 

“Let us take one point at a time,” remarked 
Cabanel, “ and discuss, them. I would like to ask 
one question, and the other gentlemen may follow 
suit. I have never yet heard,” continued Cabanel, 
“a phonograph that gave a clear and perfect imper- 
sonation of the human voice.” 

“Now, if you will give me time,” replied Jac- 
ques, “I will express as well as I can the workings 
of the instruments that will be placed in the inter- 
ior of Mile. LTnconnue. Upon a second considera- 
tion and considerable study, we decided that the 
grating noise in the phonograph prior to running 
the record, no matter how perfect the instrument 
might be, is due largely to the friction between 
the needle and the record. So, we have decided to 
place, in the proper position within the figure, an 
entirely new invention which we call the ‘Magnet- 
graph,’ and this new instrument will produce the 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


43 


sound without any grating or scratching noise, so 
prevalent in the average phonographs. This phe- 
nomenon is produced by recording on a tempered 
steel wire which passes through the pole of an 
electro-magnet, the current of which is controlled 
in intensity and direction of flow by the diaphragm 
receiving the original sound waves to be recorded — 
the magnet being very similar in principle to that 
contained in the ordinary Bell receiver in common 
use as a receiver for telephones — the tempered steel 
wire, or huagnetgraph’ proper, being magnetized, as 
it passes the pole referred to, with various inten- 
sities and polarities of magnetism. The magnetism 
of this wire is very unhomogeneous, yet the mag- 
netism does not diffuse itself along the wire, but re- 
tains its original diferentially magnetized condition 
as to intensity, polarity, etc., and is employed to 
reproduce the sounds in the recording apparatus — 
which is very similar to that of the recording appa- 
ratus, the operation being s, imply reversed.’’ 

'^How many Watts will be required to operate 
this woman ?” 

''550 Watts of energy,” replied Jacques. 

”If you will permit me,” continued Jacques, 
will give you a brief synopsis of the operation of the 
figure, and the methods to be employed to create 
the singing and moving, as well as I can. For in- 
stance, one button would close a circuit which 
would energize^ a small solenoid, which would 
actuate a soft iron plunger attached to the small 


44 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


levers and cams connected with the lips of the 
figure. By this circuit she can be made to smile 
or move her lips while speaking.’^ 

“How are you going to compel the movement 
of her feet, so she can walk?'' said Caban el. 

“Electro-magnets, placed in the stage floor, will 
operate the movement of her feet. The magnets 
could be energized," continued Jacques, “from be- 
hind the scenes, in combinations. The switchboard 
could be operated in various series of combinations, 
according to the combinations of electro-magnets 
to be energized, necessary to produce the various 
movements of the figure's limbs." 

“How are you going to prevent the figure from 
toppling over?" remarked Cabanel, with a sneer. 

“There are two ways. But I think the best one,'* 
s,aid Jacques, “ is to hold the figure in a position of 
buoyancy by means of a weight underneath the 
stage, connected by a very thin, highly-tempered 
steel rod, practically invisible to the audience — the 
steel rod passing through the stage, and following 
convolution^ through the stage as the figure 
makes its movements about." 

“How are you going to prevent the figure from 
failing to sing at the proper time ; or to have it 
talk at the proper time?" inquired Merri. 

Jacques replied: “We (have a most unique 
method of causing the figure to sing and talk at the 
time desired. We have resorted to the wireless 
telegraphy principle, very similar to that proposed 
by inventors of war machinery for firing mines, 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


45 


unconnected by any metallic circuit whatsoever. 
The oscillating apparatus, located behind the 
scenes, can s,end forth its Hertzian waves and actu- 
ate a small coherer tuned, or synchronized, to the 
oscillator behind the scenes intended for energiz- 
ing it. The coherer closes a local circuit, which 
circuit controls the mechanism of the speaking 
apparatus. A similiar apparatus can be us»ed for 
actuating the singing ^magnetgraph.’ 

“I would like to ask,” said Roussjeau, ‘‘how it 
will be possible to create artificial animation in the 
face of this figure?” 

“Well,” replied Jacques, “in that we are cer- 
tainly laboring under a slight disadvantage. We 
have' had great trouble to create the proper expres- 
sion in the eyes of the figure. But we have decided 
that this can be completely overcome by patience 
and a little ingenuity. The original of our artificial 
woman has posed in the song, or act, which we are 
to reproduce, and a complete set of photographic 
films made of the entire act. These films can be 
enlarged and the expression of the eyes reproduced 
by a proper, competent artist, depicting their ex- 
pressions throughout their variegated series.” 

“Now, gentlemen, would you like any further 
information on the subject?” asked Jacques. 

“Cabanel, I see you have succumbed,” said Rous- 
seau. 

“Ye^, I must admit that I have determined to 
give these young men a chance to display this 
wonderful automaton. They can draw on me for 


46 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


all the money they want to perfect this marvelous 
piece of mechanism. I will therefore ask that we 
pass a resolution at this meeting, as a board of 

directors, that the debut of Mile. what 

the devil do you call it?’’ '"'The Unknown,’ in 
English,” replied Rousseau. ‘'So, I will ask Merri 
to act asi chairman of this meeting.” 

“Well, gentlemen, what is your pleasure?” said 
Merri, taking a long sip of Veuve Clicquot, that 
had been ordered by M. Jolie during that time in the 
discussion when Cabanel had subsided. 

The resolution was adopted by a decisive vote, 
all rising to their feet and taking a sip out of the 
beautiful champagne glasses of Lion d’Or. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


47 


CHAPTER IX. 

A t last the evening came when Mile. 

LTnconnue was to make her debut. The 
k theatre was crowded. Many smiled with 
incredulity as the figure moved out upon 
the center of the stage. “The sweetest voice I ever 
heard/' remarked an old habitue of the place, after 

the first verse. 

At the conclu- 
sion of the song, 
the applause was 
deafening. And as 
Mile. LTnconnue 
backed off the 
stage, she replied, 
“Thank you' 
and smiled 

sweetly. 

The directors occupied a box,, and frequently 
applauded. But M. Jolie sat in one of the front 
rows in the audience. At first he was exceedingly 
nervous. But, at the conclusion of the song, he 
was supremely happy. Jacques and Edouard de- 
voted their entire time to operating the wires, and 
were assisted by Uncle Pierre, who occupied a chair 
in the flies. 

“Mon Diet! ! the marvel of the twentieth cen- 
tury!" said M. Jolie to his wife, who sat at his right. 
“Francs? Who cares for francs? I will give these 
boys all the money they want. Thousands upon 



48 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


thousands will pour into our treasury. Bravo, 
bravo he sang out, with a thousand other voices, 
as Mile. LTnconnue returned after a third encore. 

After the act of Mile. LTnconnue, Edouard 
rushed tO' the box in which were seated Marie and 
her aunt. Marie was pale, and tears stood in her 
eyes. 

“What does all this mean?” she whispered to 
Edouard. “My voice, my songs, my face. Edouard, 
why have you done this? This woman’s figure is 
copied after me.” 

The aunt, partially deaf, and deeply engrossed 
with the performance, failed to overhear their con- 
versation or comprehend the significance of the 
occasion. 

“Because, Marie,” Edouard replied, “I love you. 
I love you dearly. Jacques and I are to blame. But 
you will forgive me, won't you? The figure is a 
wonderful success and our fortunes are made.” 

“Ah,” said Marie, drying her tears, “now I 
know why you desired me to sing into the records.’' 

“M.'arie,” Edouard whispered, still holding her 
hand, “there was no other voice in Paris that 
suited me so well. Did your aunt recognize your 
voice?” 

“No,” said Marie, looking up into Edouard’s 
face lovingly, “but she said the figure resembled 
me. She never paid much attention to my singing 
any way.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


49 


“Say nothing, Marie, to any one; tell no one ot 
this secret, for the figure on the stage will soon 
become famous/' 

“You have not called on me for two weeks, " 
she replied, looking earnestly in his face. 

“The reason is good," said Edouard, “I have 
worked day and night to get the figure ready. I 
will now call regularly, and next week I must ask 
you for some more songs." 

Marie shook her head. “No, no, Marie. Don't 
shake your head, because we are under a contract 
to furnish new songs every week, and you will be 
paid handsomely, my dear." 

“Then," said Marie, her cheeks flushing crim- 
son, “I will never sing for you again." 

Edouard, seeing the mistake he had made, re- 
marked to himself, “I must pretend to love her, or 
she will never sing again." 

“This figure," continued Edouard, “is our in- 
vention. It is our pride. We love it. That is, 1 
love it; Jacques loves only fame. You know, Marie, 
I mean to say I love this inanimate thing as you 
would love a picture or statue. ^Mlle. LTnconnue' 
shall never sing a song except by the aid of your 
loving voice, dear, good Marie." 

“Think of it, Marie," said Edouard, as he caught 
her hand again. “Thousands upon thous^.nds will 
hear that voice the first week. Many believe the 
creature is alive, ?nd all the accessories merely 
serve to humbug the audience. How ^^^ould it do, 
my sweet Marie, to have some cracked, wheezy. 


50 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


loud vaudeville woman’s voice yelling into the 
records after you? Ah, Marie, see how the audi- 
ence was charmed. M. Jolie, the proprietor of the 
theatre, ^aid it was the sweetest voice he had ever 
heard. Should you refuse to sing again we shall be 
ruined, and, worse than all, made ridiculous for the 
balance of our lives.” 

Mile. L’Inconnue had left the stage, and 
another performance was on. Edouard remained in 
the box, and Marie was happy. She thought of the 
nice things Edouard had said about her voice, and 
how kind he had been to her, and of the pretty 
flowers he had sent her when he could not come. 

‘'Now I understand,” she whispered to Edouard, 
“why the old man who makes wax figures wanted 
me to pose.” 

“Yes,” said Edouard, “I must admit, Marie, we 
tried every device known to get you to permit a 
cast to be made of your face, and even then we 
failed. But the photograph you gave me answered 
the purpose.” 

“Bad boy,” said Marie, smiling. “However, 
now, as it is all explained, I do not care so much. 
I sincerely hope you will prosper by it, my dear 
Edouard.” 

The words, “dear Edouard,” so familiar by rea- 
son of the records, startled Edouard. 

“Yes, yes,” he said, “Marie, Jacques has just 
made a splendid contract with M. Jolie, the man- 
ager, for a year. We will have all the money we 
need, and more than enough — but, Marie, without 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


51 


your voice, how would we accomplish the fulfill- 
ment of the contract? You must look at this in 
the right way 

“I know what I will do,'' s^aid Edouard, thought- 
fully. “Your poor aunt has struggled all her life, 
but still owes money on the cottage. I heard of 
this from Madame Bogaire. Your aunt owes 2,500 
francs. Say nothing, Marie. If your voice can 
earn that sum, pay that debt, it is proper that you 
should do so. She is the best friend you have on 
earth." 

Marie's beautiful eyes peered into Edouard's 
face inquiringly — Does he love me? Then she held 
her head down, and remained silent. 

“Say nothing now," said Edouard. “Do not say 
one word about it, and everything will come out 
right. Good night, dear Marie." And Edouard 
returned to the stage. 


52 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER X. 

M JOLIE and a few friends, including 
Jacques and Edouard, also Pierre — who 
^ had watched the performance of the new 
star with great interest — had supper at 
the close of the theatre that night. The directors, 
tired with anxiety, separated and retired to their 

homes. J o 1 i e 
praised the young 
men for their 
genius, and be- 
spoke a great ca- 
reer for them. 

''Keep on with 
your work,’’ he 
said, "Don’t lose 
your head. Keep 
good company; keep good hours; become indif- 
ferent tO' the wiles of many of the vaudeville 
performers. Take my advice and never drink. 
Follow me, I never drink a drop. Strange as 
it may appear, I have been the manager of var- 
ious theatres for twenty-two years, and have 
never tasted one drop of liquor of any kind. I 
drink only boiled wiater and weak coffee. I have 
been successful as a theatrical manager all my life. 
I am healthy, fairly wealthy, and I am positive I 
am a little wise. Take my advice, my dear young 
gentlemen, and no matter what people tell you. 



The Automatic Vocalist. 


53 


keep away from bad company, and don’t drink. I 
am positive you will succeed; you cannot help it.’^ 

Pierre also remarked that he had adopted the 
s,amc' principle for many years — at which remark 
M. Jolie patted Uncle Pierre upon the shoulder and 
said, “Then 1 think the boys are safe ; they take 
after you.” 

Jacques was more of a philosopher than 
Eidouard. He looked upon the cold, real side of 
life. He cared nothing for the frivolities, romances 
and pleasures of a great city. Work, work, work — 
all day and half the night, he preferred. Nbw, as 
their success was ass,ured, however, he intended to 
rest and work only during the hours allotted at the 
shop. This work he kept up to enable him to se- 
cure the advice and aid of Uncle Pierre and others. 

Edouard occasionally found himself meander- 
ing down the Cours de Vincennes to have a chat 
with Marie. He had arranged several new songs 
for the coming week, and Mile. LTnconnue’s rep- 
ertoire was complete. 

The Varieties was crowded nightly, and hun- 
dreds were unable to gain admission. Seats were 
secured three, four and even six weeks in advance. 

Mile. LTnconnue was fast becoming the hit of 
the vaudeville stage. M. Jolie had noticed a great 
change in the character of his audience. Scientists, 
noted throughout Erance, prominent authors, great 
mechanics, wonderful inventors, together with 
their families, flocked to the theatre to hear the 
new star. It mattered not whether it was a me- 


54 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


chanical manikin or a live being. Many who knew 
better made their friends believe that it was a real 
woman, covered over with a layer of wax, and that 
all the wires and paraphernalia were placed about 
the figure to cause the audience to believe that it 
was mechanical. Bets were even made by the 
waiters and frequenters of the various gardens and 
cafes as to this much discussed question. In fact, 
thous,ands seemed to prefer the idea that it was a 
real live woman, and claimed that it would be im- 
possible to have an automaton sing encores and 
songs called for. One man became so excited dur- 
ing a performance that he rose in his seat and 
offered to wager ten thousand francs that the figure 
was a live woman. M. Jolie', however, coming on 
the stage during the sensation produced by this 
betting individual, announced that he would not 
permit betting in his establishment under any cir- 
cumstances, and sincerely hoped that the audience 
would not express any opinion in regard to ^^Mlle. 
LTnconnue,’’ as she was a highly sensitive lady and 
positively objected to being discussed in that man- 
ner. This announcement caused great merriment, 
and the man who offered to bet apologized, liter- 
ally believing what the manager had said, ''that 
the lady wasi sensitive.’’ 

One manager, from another cafe, after hearing 
the songs of Mile. L’Inconnue, replied to- some 
friends, "Pshaw! It’s nothing but a plastered girl 
with a sweet voice. Bah, you can’t fool me. I’ll 
bet she can digest a welsh-rarebit and a bottle of 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


55 


Roderer after the show, even with her ‘electric in- 
sides/ Why, that young fellow who sits about 
watching her I think is her husband. He gazes at 
her all through the performance.’' Then they all 
laughed. “But,” continued the outside manager, 
it’s a great ruse, after all, and has fooled half 
Paris,. I wish we could get up something like it.’* 

Edouard was lonesome. The figure at the close 
of each performance was walked into a side room 
and securely locked up, and kept from the gaze of 
the stage-hands and others. She was walked out 
of this room into another one, especially fitted up 
for her, and in the evening she was, frequently 
taken out for a ride on the Bois by M. Jolie and 
Jacques. The manager’s automobile, therefore, be- 
came the cynosure of all eyes, and the figure was 
ni'ade to perform by the skillful hand of Jacques 
precisely the same as any woman would while rid- 
ing in an automobile. This fact, alone, caused so 
much comment that even the stage carpenters and 
scene shifters and others connected with the thea- 
tre became divided in their opinion as to whether 
“Mademoiselle” was artificial or human. While 
sitting in the automobile, Jacques easily manipu- 
lated the wires because there was no danger of the 
figure tipping over, being properly braced by the 
heavy form of M. Jolie. 

One day, at the Longchamp races, while a num- 
ber of M. Jolie’s friends surrounded the automobile, 
Jacques ordered lemon “squash” for three, having, 
by an ingenious mechanism arranged to have Mile. 


56 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


LTnconnue drink through a straw. By touching 
another wire, she gracefully wiped her mouth with 
her tiny handkerchief (button No. 36). Even the 
chauffeur was amazed at the performance, and re- 
marked to himself, ‘'By all that’s holy, that thing is 
a live woman after all.” And similar remarks were 
made by bystanders who witnessed the act. One 
w]ell-known character connected with a cafe chan- 
tant remarked to his friends, “Did you see that? 
There is M. Jolie’s manufactured woman drinking 
lemon squash. Why, I knew she was a humbug all 
the time. She’s as alive as you are.” 

M. Jolie was highly amused at this incident. He 
had recognized several acquaintances in the crowd, 
who, as they passed, peered into the auto to catch 
a glimpse of the strange woman. 

“How did you dispose of the drink?” he whis- 
pered to Jacques. “Easily enough,” answered Jac- 
ques. “I inserted a bottle in the back of the figure, 
and, by a small suction hose, drew the lemonade 
into the bottle.” 

Jolie lay back in his seat, and roared with 
laughter. “We have them paralyzed at last. They 
are absolutely uncertain whether the woman is alive 
or not. What next, what next?” he said to Jacques. 
“You are originating something new every day. 
This day at the races means thousands of francs to 
us. Why, I Siaw M. Librant, of the Moulon Rouge, 
ogling us, when the ‘Mademoiselle’ drank. His 
face was flushed and he was quite excited. He said 
to me the other night, 'Jolie, that infernal singing 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


57 


machine of yours is raising the devil with us all. I 
believe now she is not a fake woman, but a genuine 
article.’ I replied, T take her out for a ride some- 
times, because she is remarkably good company, 
esipecially for an automatic person.’ This made the 
old man mad, and he shook his fist at me, and 
shouted in derision, ‘You’re as big an old fraud, 
Jolie, as the woman.’ After seeing us to-day he 
will swear all over that it was a real woman, and 
I will bet he will notify Mme. Jolie that I have 
been out flirting with some strange woman. That 
will be the funniest thing that ever happened.” 

When Edouard heard of Jacques at the Long- 
champ races, he became dejected. It seemed to him 
M. Jolie was carrying the deception too far, and he 
rather objected to their taking “Mademoiselle” out 
in an automobile in the daytime and exhibiting her 
before a large concourse of people. Jacques, how- 
ever, soothed his cousin’s fears by arranging a ride 
for Edouard, Marie and her aunt. 

“I dare not go in such a runaway wagon,” said 
Marie’s aunt. Marie, however, was delighted at 
the idea, and soon dispelled her fears. The follow- 
ing Sunday after the Longchamp races episode, the 
chauffeur called for Edouard. 

It appeared that the morning prior to this Mme. 
Bogaire had heard that the mortgage on Mme. Pla- 
cide’s (Marie’s aunt’s) cottage had become due, and 
payment had been demanded, the usual extension 
upon payment of interest having been denied by 
Lorillard et Cie, who, acting for their client, were 


58 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


compelled to collect the amount now past due. 
Marie had, by diligence, succeeded in selling some 
valuable chickens and collecting all her milk-bills 
up to date, and thus raised a small part of the sum. 
But the second notice came, stating that all must 
be paid — every franc — at once. Edouard had the 
money tO' spare. He called that day, Saturday, at 
the loan department of the bank, and paid the 
encumbrance in full, and secured the release. 
When he called at the cottage he found Mme. Pla- 
cide weeping bitterly, while Marie was trying to 
comfort her. ''Never mind, dear Auntie,'’ said 
Marie. "I am young; I can work. Perhaps we can 
borrow part of the money, and I have saved 200 
francs." 

"My darling child," the old lady said through 
her tears, "I would not care to live a minute but 
for you. For ten long years I have struggled to 
pay this sum. It was at one time 3,500 francs, and 
all I could do was to pay it down to the present 
amount. The cottage is now old ; it needs painting, 
and no one will loan the amount necessary to pay 
off the debt." 

As she talked, and Marie stood with her hands 
cares3ing her, a knock was heard at the door. It 
was Edouard. While the old lady held her apron 
to her face, to hide her tears, Marie explained to 
Edouard the cause of her trouble. 

"You must not cry to-day, my dear Madame, not 
to-day," said Edouard. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


59 


The old lady looked up and tried to smile, but 
she was so bewildered in her grief that she scarcely 
recognized Edouard’s voice. 

“You believe, my dear Madame, that there is a 
mortgage on this house,” he said, “but it is on 
the house no longer. It is in the house — and here 
it is.” Saying this, he held the cancelled document 
high above her sorrowing old head. He spoke 
loud, so the old lady could hear, “It is paid, and it 
is yours. Do you understand? You heard the 
figure sing?” 

“Yes,” the old lady said, turning slightly pale, 
while tears coursed down her cheeks. “Yes, yes,” 
she replied, “at the theatre.” 

“That voice you heard was Marie’s.” 

But the poor old lady could not comprehend. 

“Marie has earned enough to pay of¥ the mort- 
gage.” 

The old woman stared vacantly, and shook her 
head as if in doubt. Then she exclaimed, “It was 
Marie’s face ! I did not hear the singing in the 
box.” 

Edouard, with some difficulty, finally convinced 
the old woman that Marie was responsible in some 
way for the success of the figure she had seen in 
the theatre, and it dawned upon her that, through 
some marvelous invention and the aid of Marie’s 
voice, the good luck so long expected had at last 
arrived. And then she hid her face in her apron and 
wept for real joy. 


60 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Edouard turned towards the door and met the 
gaze of Marie. All the love, tenderness and affec- 
tion she' possessed seemed to be expressed in her 
glance. She appeared to Edouard to be at that 
moment almost divine. Her face resembled the 
angehs he had seen portrayed by the old masters 
in the Louvre. 

“Are you sure it is the proper thing to do, 
Edouard,'' she said, ‘‘to take this money?" 

Edouard was humjan. He folded Marie in his 
arms and kissed her passionately, remarking sev- 
eral times that he was quite sure it was the correct 
thing to do. 

Edouard then bade them dress for the auto ride. 
And, as they disappeared into the bedroom, to 
don their wraps, he leaned against the door of the 
cottage, and remarked to himself, “I wonder what 
Mile. L'Inconnue will think of all this?" 

As they flew along the boulevards and mean- 
dered through the parks, Mme. Placide, with her 
mortgage tucked away carefully in her spacious 
pocket, opened conversation with the chauffeur who 
occupied the front seat with her. Marie had pro- 
vided two large sofa pillows, and, while the old 
lady, as comfortable as possible, glided along, she 
told Jolie's chauffeur there was an old adage she had 
learned when a girl — that ^‘Joy and sorrow are 
not often found long apart." 

Marie and Edouard, in the back seat, discussed 
the new songs for the coming week. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


61 


“What will you do when the year is up at the 
Varieties?’' asked Mlarie. 

“Really, I don’t quite know now. I think we 
shall tour over Europe, and possibly we may go to 
America.” 

“I suppose by that time they will have tired of 
my voice,” said Marie. 

“If you go to London with us, you must learn 
some English songs.” 

Marie smiled. “Can I do it? It is very difficult 
to learn English. Miy music teacher has instructed 
me, and I can sing quite a number of English songs 
already.” 

“However,” replied Edouard, “why talk of the 
future? If we go to London we must take you 
with us.” 

“That would not do at all,” said Marie. 

Why not, if we take Aunt Placide along too?” 
said the boy. 

As they stopped at a cafe to get a sandwich and 
a cup of coffee, Edouard got out, and, as he w'as 
about to hand a tray the waiter had brought out 
to Mme. Placide and Marie, he overheard a young- 
man say, with an oath, “There is that wax figure 
performing at the Varieties.” The stranger also 
said, “Why that young fellow with her is the one 
who sits in the front row and watches her every 
night.” 

Marie turned slightly pale. 

“Never mind, say nothing,” said Edouard. 
“Never pay any attention to the statement of an 


62 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


insolent fop. He probably saw me at the theatre, 
and his casual remark is not worthy of attention.' ‘ 

Maire, however, became very thoughtful, but 
did not again refer to the accident. 

After the drive, Edouard wandered down to the 
theatre, and took a look in at Mile. LTnconnue 
and readjusted one of her songs in the new record. 
He took a long look at the face. “Yes, there was 
that expression ; almost divine and incomparable. 
She is, indeed, more magnificent even than Marie. 
Poor Mademoiselle, did they take you out, to have 
the horde gaze at you with their rude eyes and 
offer their insolent remarks about you?” Taking a 
last look at the figure, he again bid her good-bye, 
and, touching the small lever, the figure again re- 
peated, “Good night, good night, my dear Edouard, 
good night.” Then locking the door securely, he 
sent the key to the office of M. Jolie. He dined at 
a cafe, as Jacques would not be down until 7:30. 

Strange as it may appear, although Edouard was 
becoming more and more interested in the character 
of the little milk-carrier, still, in his heart of 
hearts, the manufactured automaton held the se- 
cret of his heart. When he kissed Marie it was, the 
aftection of a boy, for Edouard was then only nine- 
teen, and because he thought she duly appreciated 
his act of kindness in paying off the mortgage on 
the old lady’s cottage. And small wonder he ex- 
perienced this brotherly affeJction for the poor 
young girl, because she had done so much to aid 
him in his enterprise. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


63 


Marie, of course, thought differently. But 
Marie was possessed of good judgment and a strong 
will, and sincerely believed in doing right, re- 
gardless of consequences. When she overheard the 
remark at the cafe, in which her resemblance to 
the wax figure was noticeable, she was dismayed, 
and determined that at the end of the year she 
would sing no more for the records and decline to 
accompany Edouard and Jacques to Europe or 
America, even though Aunt Placide became one of 
the party. 

“Vaudeville business,’’ said Marie, “is at most a 
method of earning a living;^ not much superior to 
selling milk — not so respectable at all events.” 

Now, while poor Marie thought all this, she had 
forgotten the wiles of a certain little busybody, 
named Cupid, who frequently compelled people to 
do things — sometimes against their better judgment. 


64 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER XL 

T he fame of the wonderful woman of the 
Varieties continued to spread, and every 
night, for weeks,, hundreds were unable 
to gain admission. At the hour of her 
appearance, those who held seats for other theatres 
thronged the doors of the Varieties, to catch a 

glimpse of her 
and hear her sing 
a verse, and then 
return to the other 
respective p 1 a y - 
houses. 

As Edouard, 
when not o n 
watch, heard the 
singing of Mile. 
LTnconnue, he noticed that other men in the 
audience had become, evidently, as infatuated 
as he was, because they occupied seats night 
after night and usually left the theatre after 
the retirement of Mademoiselle. This annoyed him 
slightly. But Jacques, the practical, said, '‘What 
nonsense. Why, the more the merrier. If Madem- 
oiselle had a 'million idiotic lovers, so much the 
better. Any man who will fall in love with an 
automaton would probably fall in love with a hay- 
stack or a telegraph pole.’’ 

"They believe she’s human,” replied Edouard, 
preferring not to discuss the subject further. 



The Automatic Vocalist. 


65 


One night aS( “Mademoiselle’’ was about to re- 
tire, some one in the audience threw a rose on 
the stage. By wonderfully quick action, Jacques 
manipulated the wires so that the figure picked up 
the rose, bowed gracefully, and said, “Thank you, 
thank you.” 

M. Jolie, in the next programme, announced that 
patrons would confer a great favor, upon all future 
occasions, in declining to throw or place floral 
tributes upon the stage. After Jacques’ remarks 
about “idiotic lovers,” Edouard made a great at- 
tempt to entertain more genuine affection for 
Marie. Now, as the interest upon the cottage debt 
had ceased to fall due at certain periods. Aunt 
Placide demanded that Marie should buy a new 
dress and a new, stylish hat ; and young Lefevre, a 
boy who lived opposite, agreed to deliver the milk 
for fifteen francs a week, which relieved Marie 
from a two-mile tramp every morning and the ad- 
ditional exercise of climbing numerous flights of 
stairs. Marie was given many lessons in singing, 
by a new teacher who had moved into the neigh- 
borhood ; and one day a cart backed up to the cot- 
tage, containing a large box with three powerful 
men seated upon the top. One got out and inquired 
if ^Mme. Placide lived here.’ Marie was amazed. 
The card said: 

“Edouard to Marie, on her birthday.” 

Marie turned a variety of colors all at once. 
But when her excitement had subdued, she danced 
about the room like a fairy. 


66 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


“Why, auntie, auntie, it’s a piano ! A magnifi- 
cent, lovely piano. Why, auntie dear, what shall 
we do? What a splendid present — and it’s from 
Edouard, too.” 

“Oh dear,” replied the old lady, while tears 
glistened in her eyes, “that boy is so good to us. 
And he will say that your voice earned it all.” 

Three powerful men were bringing in the big 
box, while Marie was hunting in the attic for a 
hammier and screw driver. Then she danced about 
the room and sang little bits of songs she had been 
rehearsing so charmingly that even the red-faced 
piano-movers grinned and smiled with delight. 

“Dear Edouard, so kind — so true!” she ex- 
claimed aloud — and then she blushed at her reck- 
lessness, fearing that the piano-movers might know 
Edouard. 

“Good instrument,” said the leader of the men. 
“Good maker, grand tone. My daughter plays one 
of these.” 

Then they left, after packing up, but soon re- 
turned with another box. It contained a beautiful 
cover and handsome mahogany stool wide enough 
for two. 

“Complete,” said the leader. And when Marie 
signed a receipt for the contents of the boxes, they 
disappeared, whistling merrily, because Mme. Pla- 
cide had given to each of the men a hot cup of tea 
and a cake. 

Every week, when the new songs were sung by 
the figure, Marie and Aunt Placide had a box; but 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


67 


Edouard had arranged it so they could not be seen 
by the audience. The fact that now half a dozen 
young mien, and nearly a dozen very old ones, 
seemed infatuated with ''Mademoiselle’’ failed to 
make much impression on Edouard, as he looked in 
their faces from his front row seat and frequently 
smiled, remarking, "In love with an automaton — 'a 
hay-stack or a telegraph pole’ — poor, silly, old 
things. I wonder if they will ever get over it.” 


68 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER XIL 

S uccess followed success. There was 
scarcely a night during the entire year when 
hundreds, unable to secure seats, were not 
turned away. The seating capacity of the 
Varieties had been enlarged and the foyer reduced 
in size. At this time, comparatively few people in 

Paris believed the 
figure was a hu- 
man. Stage 
hands and em- 
ployes about the 
theatre, naturally, 
had spied about 
and noticed the 
electricians a t 
work, fixing 
wires and inserting machinery. They had also 
noticed the operation of the wires and knew 
of the immense weight of the automaton. 
Without being operated, it required the combined 
effort of three or four strong men to raise her body 
from the floor. Owing to the marvelous ingenuity 
of Jacques, however, she was made to ascend or 
descend stairs, and even to enter a carriage or auto- 
mobile quite gracefully. It was this fact that made 
it thoroughly evident to the s,mall boy and the 
loungers and hangers-on about the theatre that the 
figure was a live person, and it was generally sup- 




The Automatic Vocalist. 


69 


posed by a certain class at this time that all the 
buttons and electrical appliances were simply used 
to deceive. 

M. Jolie, being of a generous disposition for a 
manager, and especially as the year's contract had 
expired and they had run over the time, upon the 
same terms, for nearly three months, decided that, 
in addition to the enormous salary already paid to 
Jacques and Edouard, a percentage of the re- 
ceipts should also be awarded to the inventors — at 
least until ‘‘Mademoiselle" ceased to be the great 
attraction she now was. 

Edouard called upon Marie more frequently. 
She studied many hours a day at her music, and the 
piano proved a great aid. Edouard could play ac- 
companiments very well, and together they ran over 
the new songs, and when one appealed tO' Edouard, 
Marie sang it into the records. 

Edouard was fast becoming rich ; for the cou- 
sins, under the scrutinizing eye of M. Jolie, were 
saving their mbney and keeping aloof from bad 
company. M. Jolie had taken such a fancy to the 
taciturn and quiet Jacques that he frequently sat 
for an hour or more, watching him work upon some 
new invention respecting the automaton. They had 
ceased to work at the electrical establishment except 
for the purpose of making experiments, and every 
facility was tendered to them by the firm for that 
purpose. 


70 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Uncle Pierre, also, had by this time become 
famous for his remarkable inventions of electric 
toys. 

The latest present Edouard had bestowed upon 
the Placide family was a handsome milk-wagon, 
two fine large horses, and a dozen Jersey cows with 
a pedigree, the purchase of three new milk-routes, 
and the leasing of a valuable pasture. This fact 
had set Mme. Placide upon the pinnacle of pros- 
perity, for — being an industrious and frugal old wo- 
man — her income was soon quadrupled and she 
started a bank account. 

Edouard’s latest whim was to see Marie garbed 
precisely like ‘'Mile. LTnconnue” when she sang — 
same style of hat and stage dress. To this proposi- 
tion at first Marie raised a serious objection. 

“Out of place, out of place,” she said, “for me, a 
milk girl.” 

“A milk girl with a queenly disposition is, in 
fact, a queen, my dear Marie. I know you will 
please me,” 

Marie placed her hand aflfectionately upon Edou- 
ard’s shoulder, and said, “Where shall we go to be 
fitted ?” 

“Picard,” said Edouard. 

“Impossible!” replied Marie. “She is one of our 
customers; she will think wrong of me.” 

“She cannot do that,” said Edouard. “I will 
explain the situation, as I did about Mile. LTncon- 
nue’s dress. I told Mme. Picard that that dress 
was made to go to America.” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


71 


‘‘Bad boy! You told a 

“It was not true/' said Edouard, “but diplo- ' 
matic." 

The next morning Edouard and Marie, in a taxi- 
cab, were driving furiously along the streets, en- 
route to Mme. Picard's. The Madame was not in 
her shop ; she had gone to London. So Marie's 
fears were unfounded, because Mme. Picard had 
always instructed her employes never to ask ques- 
tions of anybody. Edouard watched, with patience, 
the many fittings, and was always present to make 
suggestions — while Jacques was wondering where 
Edouard spent so much of his time. Einally the 
glorious gown was complete, and Marie appeared 
so beautiful in it that Edouard's eyes feasted upon 
her. “Perhaps that's the real Mile. L'Inconnue," 
he said, “after all !" The selection of a hat was 
less difficult. Marie's pretty face and head seemed 
to fit any hat, nO' matter how atrocious it appeared 
upon the head of another. 

Edouard had a double object in securing the 
grand dress for Marie. First, it would be a pleas- 
ant reminder of “Mile. L'Inconnue" and second, 
His Majesty, King Edward of England, was about 
to visit Paris, and the hint had been thrown out to 
M. Jolie that perhaps a special performance of the 
wonderful figure might be requested for His Maj- 
esty, as one of the numerous entertainments to be 
provided. 

M. Jolie and Jacaues were sitting in the for- 
mer's private room, after a luncheon, when a mes- 


72 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


senger from the Grand Opera House handed M. 
Jolie a note, which read as follows: 

Grand Opera House^ Paris^ to-day ( Wednes- 
day^') M. Jolie: My Dear Sir — The comynittee ap- 
pointed for the purpose of e^itertaining His Maj- 
esty^ King Edward of England^ has decided that^ if 
agreeable to you and the owners of "Mile. Elncon- 
nue — the wonderful automatic singing lady^ a 
special performance be tendered by you., one week 
fro7n this ( Wednesday ) flight., between the second 
and third acts of the grand opera — to be given as 
an especial entertainment to His Majesty. Kindly 
reply by bearer.'''' 

‘'Good!’’ said M. Jolie, slapping the reserved 
Jacques upon the shoulder, and the following ans- 
wer was hurriedly penned to the committee : 

"‘'Mile. D Inconnue desires to reply to your 
most kind proposition., and to state that she is 
highly honored by the proposal to sing before his 
most gracious Majesty., King Edward of England., 
and will be most happy to appear at the Grand 
Opera House ^ upon the night selected., between the 
second and third acts of the opera. 

"‘'Thanking you again sincerely for this most 
gracious invitation., I am., obediently yours^ Mile. 
D Inconnue." 

This answer was exhibited to the king one day 
while at luncheon with the President of France, 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


73 


and when His Majesty learned that the reply was 
from the wonderful automatic lady, over her signa- 
ture, he laughed heartily and begged to be per- 
mitted to retain the same as a souvenir of his visit 


74 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

A t last the eventful day arrived. The great 
opera house — the pride of music-loving 
France — was crowded by the most distin- 
guished assemblage that ever graced its 
magnificent interior. Edouard had provided a side 
box for Marie. In her beautiful new gown she was 

a princeSiS, indeed. 
The pretty milk- 
maid seemed to be 
lifted out of the 
realm of peasan- 
try into an atmos- 
phere of refined 
aristocracy for 
the occasion. She 
was a picture un- 
equalled by even the most superb beauties present. 
Mme. Placide was not very well, and remained at 
home. The music teacher, a middle-aged English 
lady of refinement and education, had accepted 
Marie's invitation to occupy the box with her and 
was also delighted at the chance to see the king. 

M. Jolie was decidedly nervous all the evening. 
'T hope nothing will go wrong," he said, '‘because 
Mme. Jolie, the night previous, had a dream, in 
which she thought she heard a great crash — like a 
building falling." He was also additionally excited, 
fearing that a failure before the king would mean 
an unsuccessjul trip through England. Should 




The Automatic Vocalist. 


75 


'‘Mademoiselle’s” singing, however, please the king, 
it meant a more successful trip than could other- 
wise be contemplated. 

The stern and taciturn Jacques appeared quite 
calm, and had nothing to say. He had arranged 
everything, and was satisfied as to the success of 
the evening. 

A room off the great stage had been assigned to 
Jacques and Edouard, and M. Jolie, who appeared 
in the foyer, was being congratulated by his many 
acquaintances. Marie and her music teacher had 
arrived, and Edouard saw to it that they were made 
quite comfortable in their box, from which point 
they could witness the arrival of those asicending 
the stairs by the principal lobby. His Majesty and 
the President were not expected until the end of 
the first act. Their large box was tastefully 
decorated by a brilliant display of flowers, also 
flags of both countries. 

Jacques had com)pleted the last details for 
"Mademoiselle’s” act, and Edouard had just been 
called to render any assistance necessary. As 
Edouard entered the room containing the figure, the 
door slammed, owing to a draught fromi the hallway 
to the open window in the room in which Mile. 
L’Inconnue was stationed. 

There was a crash ! 

Jacques, who was arranging an electrical appli- 
ance, jumped to his feet. "It’s all over,” he said. 

Edouard caught Mile. L’Inconnue as she was 
about to topple over. A heavy piece of statuary, 


76 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


resting insecurely upon an upper shelf in the room, 
had fallen, owing to the concussion caused by the 
slamming of the door, straight down upon the head 
and shoulders of Mile. LTnconnue, caving in her 
graceful head, leaving a great hole m the waxen 
plaster and smashing some of her features into 
small pieces. Immediately a small flame shot out 
through the cavity in her head. 

''All gone,” said Jacques, with a grim smile, as 
he quickly disconnected the wire running through 
the head of the automaton. Jacques worked rapidly, 
but not quick enough to prevent the entire destruc- 
tion of "Mademoiselle’s” beautiful golden hair. 
There she stood, after Edouard had braced her up — 
a dismal, forlorn and complete wreck. 

"No performance to-night,” said Jacques, calmly, 
looking at his watch, "and it is twenty minutes to 
ten, nearing the time for us to be ready for the 
first call.” 

Edouard stood gazing at the ruined face of his 
wonderful design. His quick wit never deserted 
him. 

"Jacques,,” he exclaimed excitedly, "We will 
give the show.” 

"Nonsense,” said Jacques, "impossible!” 

"Stay right here. Say nothing. Not one word 
to any one. I shall return in ten minutes. Let no 
one know of the accident. We will give the show!” 
Then Edouard hurriedly left the room. 

A smell of burnt hair brought an inquiry from 
the firemen on watch, who knocked at the door. But 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


77 


Jacques informed them it was merely a slight acci- 
dent produced by the crossing of two wires and 
the burning of some artificial hair in the room — 
that it was, of no consequence ; the wire had been 
cut, and the fire was out. 

A message soon came that in less than half an 
hour, the call might come for Mile. LTnconnue 
to appear. Jacques smiled, and replied, ^‘All right, 
we shall be ready — So Edouard says.” As Jacques 
made this remiark he was not positive in his mind 
as to the manner in which “Mademoiselle” could be 
made ready, but, to please Edouard, he kept his 
promise and said nothing. 

Edouard rushed to the box occupied by Marie 
“Marie,” he said, as calmly as possible under the 
circumstances, “something has happened. The 
figure is destroyed, and with it all our hopes have 
perished. What can we do?” 

Mme. Glenning, Marie's music teacher, who oc- 
cupied the box with her, did not comprehend the 
meaning of the destruction of the figure, and she 
said, “Then there will be no performance to-night?” 

“Yes, there will,” replied Edouard, still firm in 
his conviction that he could induce Marie to go on 
the stage and sing. 

Mme. Glenning, w'ell pleased with the scene pre- 
sented before her, the opera house containing many 
distinguished English people of whom she had 
heard, was so intent on peering through her glasses 
that she never noticed that Edouard and Marie 
had left the box. Marie, holding Edouard's hand. 


78 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


hurried down stairs, and in a few minutes stood 
face to face with the peerless Mile. LTnconnue. 
When she saw the damaged face of the figure 
Edouard had so long worked on, tears formed in 
her eyes and she was about to cry. 

''Marie, Marie,’’ Edouard said as he held her 
close to him, "be a brave girl to-night, for you 
alone can help us out of this dilemma. No time for 
tears,, my pet. The figure’s dress was copied after 
yours. Her face is a facsimile of yours ; her voice 
is yours ; in every respect she represents you. I 
love you, Marie, as I never expect to love any one 
again. Will you do me a great favor, Marie?” and 
he patted her on the shoulder while he held her 
tightly in his grasp, and said in a low voice, "Go 
on the' stage ; pretend you are the figure ; sing the 
same songs, that she sings this week, including 
'God Save the King’ and the 'Marseillaise.’ ” 

Jacques stood by with his mouth wide open, but 
catching every word, with intense excitement. 
"Jacques, do you know what I am going to do?” 

Jacques tried to remain calm, but he couldn’t. 
His face turned deathly pale. He forced the color 
back to his lips, and said, "Edouard, I am with 
you. I will operate the live figure the same as the 
automaton, and they will never know the difference. 
But I will turn on no voltage. I will fasten the 
string of buttons down her back, though, and they 
will be deceived.” 

"Marie,” said Jacques, "You have seen the figure 
operated. Can you perform as she does?” 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


79 


Marie was also a little pale, but there was a de- 
termined expression on her face which indicated 
that she would brave everything to help them our. 
She gazed a second at the ruined figure, and then 
at Edouard, who, pale and trembling, awaited her 
answer. 

“Edouard!’’ Marie exclaimed, while the crimson 
mounted her cheek again, “I have decided; I’ll do 
it for you, and I will make a success; fear not, I 
know every movement of the figure and every word 
of the songs. Keep your own nerve. Never mind 
me!” 

Jacques, almost paralyzed by the turn in events, 
quickly regained his self-possession, and set to work. 
He arrayed a string of bright buttons down Marie’s 
back. 

“You need not show me how to walk,” said 
Marie, “because I have shown Auntie and the 
neighbors how ‘Mademoiselle’ acts a dozen times* 
Let them toss bouquets at me ; I’ll pick them up. 
But Edouard, remember, I’ll be your electric lady 
only for this occasion. I never sang before an audi- 
ence in my life; but I am not the least bit afraid. I 
have more nerve than the entire audience. It will 
be a success. Don’t fear!” 

The switchboard was moved intO' place ; the 
call came; Jacques was arranging the numerous 
wires that were to be attached tO' Marie’s back, but 
the main electric wire, containing the current was 
completely shut off. Edouard was himself 
again. The last call bell sounded, and the great 


80 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Mile. LTnconnue walked steadily out, in a per- 
fectly accurate straight line to the center of the 
stage — while Jacques, under the peeping eyes of 
numerous chorus girls and performers in the Grand 
Opera, manipulated the key-board precisely as he 
would have done had the real ''Mile. LTnconnue 
been present. 

It would fill a volume to reproduce all the witti- 
cismsi, comments and remarks respecting the "auto- 
maton” tendered b}^ that grand exclusive audience, 
comprising, as it did, the most scientific men, au- 
thors, ambassadors, titled people, those foremost in 
the army and navy ; in fact, the creme de la creme 
of social France. 

"Is it possible that woman is not alive?” "It is 
incredible.” "That is the most marvelous creation 
ever made by the hand of man.” "It is, indeed, the 
marvel of the age ; the wonder of the twentieth 
century.” "Merely a mechanical toy,” said an aged 
naturalist, known the world over. "I never expected 
to have lived to see such a marvelous reproduction 
of a human form.” 

King Edward and President Faure, and many of 
the French cabinet and their ladies, discussed the 
figure. The King observed through his glasses 
every movement of the wonderful automaton. 

"I have seen,” he remarked to the President of 
France, "the wax figures in Mme. Tussaud’s 
gallery in London ; I have often, when a youth, been 
startled by their remarkable similarity to nature. 
Frequently there is a wax policeman, or a guard. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


81 


standing on a staircase or in a hall, near a live one. 
and it is almost impossible to distinguish the real 
one from the imitation. I have actually s,een old 
ladies go up and touch live policemen, imagining 
them to be wax figures. But this creation, I must 
admit, is far superior to anything I have ever seen ; 
it is so absolutely perfect and lifelike.'’ 

Marie was entirely self-possessed. She, for the 
first time in her life, was floating in the atmos- 
phere of love ; she was doing this all for Edouard ; 
to her, the vast and brilliant audience appeared no 
more than a row of pumpkin-heads. Edouard's 
success was in her mind. She bowed gracefully, 
but very mechanically, and paid not the slightest 
attention to the vociferous cheering and applause. 
She moved her head gracefully, but slowly, and 
faced the audience precisely as Mile. L'Inconnue 
would have done had she been in her place. She 
raised the sheet music slowly, but properly, before 
her, with both hands. Her voice sounded far more 
melodious, if such were possible, than in the figure 
of Mile. L'Inconnue at the Varieties, becaus,e she 
was aided by the perfect sounding-board and acous- 
tics of the Grand Opera House. Her voice was low 
and sweet, but penetrated to the furthermost re- 
cesses of the great building. The audience was 
Spellbound and as still as death. For an encore, 
the figure remained and sang another popular song, 
changing the music she held in her hand each 
time. Then she backed gracefully to the side of the 
stage and bowed. The audience was wild. ''En- 


82 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


core, encore they yelled in unison. Excitable 
voices came from evey part of the auditorium de- 
manding more, more, and, while she slightly turned 
around so as not to tangle the wires on her back, 
the audience saw the string of peculiar glistening 
buttons arranged in the back of her dress, which 
flashed in the lime-light — and the applause con- 
tinued for fully two minutes. Then she advanced 
to the front of the stage, and, producing in her 
hands two flags that had been handed to her from 
the flies — the tri-color of France and the Union 
Jack of England, (these she reached for in a me- 
chanical way) and, as she sang '‘God Save the 
King’’ and followed by a verse of the "Marseillaise,” 
acompanied by the great orchestra and all the many 
trained voices present, she gently, but very mechani- 
cally, waved the flags together. 

The entire asisemblage was on its feet, and a 
scene was presented the like of which never before 
occurred in the history of this great musical insti- 
tution, the pride of France. Frenchmen shouted, 
"God bless Old England and long live her King.” 
and English men and women sang out with all 
their might, "Vive la Belle France; forever long 
live France!” 

The King, forgetting for the moment that he 
saw before him only an automaton, sent a beautiful 
red rose down to the stage by a page. The figure 
stood perfectly still for a moment, then moved 
cautiously forward, slowly raising her right hand, 
while she carried her music and the flags in her left : 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


83 


she bowed respectfully, accepted the rose, smiled 
and curtsied, and retired from the stage. 

So much confusion prevailed that it was impos- 
sible to proceed with the third and last act of the 
Grand Opera for fully thirty minutes. Marie was 
guided cautiously to her room, and all excluded, 
even M. Jolie, who had gone absolutely crazy from 
excitement and was not responsible for anything 
he said or did. He had looked into “Mademois- 
elle’s’’ room shortly after the accident, and, having 
seen the distorted figure and burnt hair of poor 
“Mademoiselle,” he was about to run away, and 
forced his way out beyond the foyer, down the 
steps. Hiding in the crowd that had assembled 
outside the opera house, he awaited anxiously the 
result of the accident. He then walked back, along 
the edge of the foyer, expecting to find either Jac- 
ques or Edouard, but they had disappeared. 

‘The dream is, all over,” he said. When, in a 
short period, he saw the famous Mile. L’Inconnue 
walk serenely out on the stage, with her beautiful 
face and golden hair complete, he actually believed 
he had gone stark mad. “At laisit, mon Dieu, has 
it come to this?” He then ran behind the s.cenes, 
and there beheld Jacques serenely manipulating 
the wires, while the “Mademoiselle” was singing as 
lovely as ever, even more so. He then quieted 
himself by saying, “It’s a bad case, a bad case. A 
sanitarium for me.” He decided tO' go out into the 
open air until his palpitating heart should cease its 
extra beating. 


84 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Marie was the most composed one of all who 
had assembled that night in the Grand Opera 
House. When she retired to the room of the 
destroyed figure, Jacques; carefully removed the 
wires and buttons from her back. 

“How did I do, Edouard?’" asked Marie, laugh- 
ing, as if she had merely performed some trifling 
service for friendship. 

“How did you do, my own Marie? Magnifi- 
cently! Your acting was absolutely perfect, and 
your singing divine. Oh, Marie, you are my pride. 
You are the marvel — not Mile. LTnconnue. Now, 
dear,” Edouard whispered, ‘'you must not show 
yourself till the performance has closed and all 
have retired. I will go up and explain tO' Mme. 
Glenning the cause of your absence from the box.” 

‘T fancy she knows it by this time,” replied 
Marie, smiling. “Get her down here at once, and 
we can leave by the stage door in the auto when 
the last act of the opera is over and you say the 
audience has dispersed.” 

Mme. Glenning, the music teacher, like M. 
Jolie, also believed she had fallen into some peculiar 
state or trance, especially when M'arie appeared and 
sang. Afterwards, however, when she saw the 
figure of Mile. LTnconnue, with its ghastly broken 
face and burnt hair, she quickly understood why 
Marie had deserted the box to take her place, and 
she was proud she had had the honor of developing 
Marie’s voice to such perfection. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


85 


It was quite a long time before the great audi- 
ence had left, and Marie, Mme. Glenning and Edou- 
ard believed it was quite safe to leave by the rear 
door of the opera house. After their departure, Jac- 
ques locked the door containing the remains of poor 
Mile. LTnconnue, and shambled out in his heavy 
ulster — for the night had turned raw and cold — to 
find M. Jolie, whom he soon discovered in their 
favorite cafe in a most dejected, incoherent and dis- 
consolate mood. Upon the table, before the man- 
ager, some untouched refreshments appeared, and a 
sleepy waiter stood behind him awaiting further 
orders. 

“How did you like it?’' said Jacques. 

The manager replied, abstractedly, “Oh, I don’t 
know how I will like it ; I was never in a sanitarium 
before.” 


86 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

M ME. GLENNING sat with the chauf- 
feur. She was a careful woman, and had 
provided two large woolen shawls, 
knowing the uncertainty of Parisian 
weather. Edouard, with one of them, covered 
Marie completely over and led her to her seat in the 

auto in the same 
mechanical way 
adopted in moving 
Mile. LTnconnue. 

“There goes 
that queer thing,’’ 
said the night 
watchman. 
“Queerest piece 
of humanity, elec- 
tricity — or whatever it is, the Lord ever made. God 
help us, what next?” 

The amount of space between Edouard and 
Marie during their homeward drive could not pos- 
sibly be calculated by any known system of mathe- 
matics or measurement. He wrapped her in the 
warm woolen shawl, and held her so tightly that 
the raw, biting east wind proved entirely power- 
less. It is unnecessary to state that Marie was 
correspondingly comfortable and exceedingly 
happy. 

“Marie, my angel, words cannot convey any idea 
of my pride and joy when you sang to-night. It 



The Automatic Vocalist. 


87 


seems as if all my life, since I first met you, had 
been a wretched m'istake. I have been so intensely 
interested in that manikin — or 'womankin’ — that, 
although it may seem to you positively absurd, I 
have actually loved that poor dumb thing. My 
mind has been so concentrated upon this figure 
and its mechanical accomplishments that no wonder 
I have acted like a perfect fool. I was even jealous 
of it. I hated to see meu in the theatre admire it, 
and I detested to have them linger, looking at her, 
over and over again. I even possessed a peculiar 
sort of sympathy for it. I knew all the time this 
was unnatural. I knew my affection for such an 
automaton was, preposterous, absurb, unreal and a 
lie. While I sat and listened to your voice to- 
night, and saw you take those wonderfully mechan- 
ical steps on the stage ; when I saw your face behind 
the footlights ; when I knew v/hat you had accom- 
plished — how calm you were, how brave you were, 
and so lovely in every respect, caring nothing for 
the audience or the excitement — then, for the first 
time, my own Marie, 1 knew in my heart of hearts 
it was you, my dear Marie, that I had loved, 
and the manufactured toy was merely a represen- 
tation of your dear, sweet self. Yes,, Marie, J 
loved you dearly the morning you put your head 
in the door to apologize for the late delivery of the 
milk. I loved the few words you sang going down 
the stairs upon the same occasion. I have loved you 
since, and I love you now — always and forever. 
I see it all — what a blind fool I have been.’’ 


88 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Marie never answered. She held her cheek 
close to Edouard’s, while she leaned her head upon 
his shoulder. She was too happy to talk — no ans- 
wer was necessary to his statements — and Edouard 
knew it. 

Jacques told M. Jolie the whole story, while 
they chatted together in the cafe chantant. And 
they had a jolly laugh over the remarkable occur- 
rence, and especially the fact that M. Jolie imagined 
for the time being that he was a fit subject for a 
sanitarium. 

'Tt completely fooled the entire audience, king, 
president, dukes, duchesses, nobility, scientists, 
authors, and all the mortals and immortals pres- 
ent,'’ said Monsieur Jolie, laughing heartily. 

‘'Yes, and Marie fooled you, too," replied Jac- 
ques, without a smile. 

“What will we do now?" asked Jacques. 

“We must repair the creature at once," said 
Jolie, looking serious again. “Can it be done? Of 
course, I will announce to-morrow morning in the 
press that, owing to a slight accident to the figure, 
she will not appear again for one or two weeks, but 
that due notice will be given of her re-appearance 
when the repairs have been made." 

“We must get Marie to permit a cast of her 
face to be made. I will find old Dobson, the wax 
figure m'aker, and bargain with him," said Jacques 
thoughtfully. 

“Time will not be lost," added Jolie. “The 
theatre needs decorating anyway, and I will not go 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


89 


on with the ordinary performances until 'Madem- 
oiselle’ is ready to appear. After that, we will fill 
our London engagement. The figure will be com- 
plete about the time the King returns to England, 
and one word from him will fill the biggest house 
in London for weeks — and, don’t fear, Jacques, my 
boy, I will manage to get the word.” 

"Did you ever see such acting in your life, Jac- 
ques? That young woman is a wonderful person. 
She simply deceived every one in the audience and 
made them believe she was the manufactured auto- 
maton. When I saw her accept the King’s rose, I 
then believed I had gone stark, staring mad. How 
in the world did you manage it?” 

"You forget, M. Jolie, the whole thing this time 
was a hoax. The wires were not connected. Of 
course not; they would have burnt poor Marie into 
a crisp. She was smart enough to go forward and 
take the rose without any instructions. The page 
was scared blue. Did you see him wince? The 
buttons — oh, the buttons — deceived them all,” said 
Jacques, again displaying that peculiar smile per- 
petrated only by men of genius. "The buttons de- 
ceived them all. When she turned around slightly 
they all saw the bright buttons. Marie has played 
this part before. She has imitated Mile. L’lncon- 
nue to amuse her friends, and she was quite at 
home and happy in the character.” 

"Mon Dieu,” replied Jolie, earnestly, "happy in 
the character, indeed ! She is the greatest living 
imitator on the stage to-day ! She was the personi- 


90 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


fication of dignity, and her voice — mon Dieu, her 

voice . Tell the waiter tO' bring more coffee/' 

The next morning the Paris press, together with 
the English and European newspapers, gave an 
elaborate account of the mechanical figure which 
performed before the King of England, President of 
France, and the grand audience. Far more space 
was allotted to the description of the automaton 
than to the Grand Opera, which caused the man- 
ager of the Opera House to remark, “Ah, the musi- 
cal world is degenerating, and sensations and pup- 
pets are fast becoming the real rage." 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


91 


CHAPTER XV. 

T here was something superlatively beau- 
tiful concerning the love of both Edouard 
and Marie. While in one respect they 
were unsophisticated children, they both 
possessed such firm faith in each other that their 
love was without jealousy or fear of estrangement. 

They had no fore- 
bodings of the fu- 
ture, and no par- 
ticular realization 
of the sterner 
necessities of life. 
Marie was of a 
positive nature ; 
she could not be 
induced to com- 
mit a folly or wrong against her inclination. Edou- 
ard was, quick-witted, ambitious and studious; his 
nature was tranquil and his disposition affectionate. 
He was generous and kind to all, and loved to make 
everybody happy. He was a great favorite in the 
shop, where he and Jacques still occasionally 
worked with their new experiments. His great 
ambition was to some day have a shop of his own 
in Paris, and have Pierre and Jacques manage it. 
The cous,ins had large and growing bank accounts. 
They made no > investments, but received interest, 
compounded, on all their savings. M. Jolie 




92 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


watched over them tenderly, and always mani- 
fested genuine pride in their success. 

Edouard discovered that it was far less expen- 
sive to hire a taximeter auto than to own one, and 
during the ^rehabilitation jof “Mademoiselle"’ by 
Giotto, Dobson, Jacques and others,, he decided, in 
his boyish way, that Marie should be fitted out as 
would become the great star she had proved her- 
self to be, and three new designs in dresses were 
ordered — one for the house, one for the street, and 
one for driving. Marie insisted that they should be 
made at a less expensive place than Mme. Picard’s 
establishment, to which Edouard reluctantly 
consented. They wandered down the leading shop 
streets together, and finally discovered that the 
“Louvre” would do for Marie’s plain dresses and 
hats. And, Marie having convinced Edouard that 
she would feel happier in plain, simple dresses, he 
decided also that her beauty was displayed to better 
advantage in dresses of her own choice. 

“I don’t care a snap, now,” said Marie, exhib- 
iting her engagement ring, when retiring from 
Spaulding’s on the Rue de la Opera,” whether they 
call me the wax figure, or the automaton, or a hum- 
bug. We are show people now, Edouard; sort of 
stars, you know. Rather dim ones, perhaps. You 
are the heavy tragedian, who slammed the door and 
knocked down the statue on top of the wax woman : 
you are an awful tragedian, because you killed 
poor ‘Mademoiselle.’ And I imitated her gait so 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


93 


closely, the poor old King wasted a nice rose on 
me. He ought to have kept it for the Queen.'' 

And then they looked into the windows of the 
various stores, and, like children, laughed and made 
fun of everything. 

“The funniest thing about it all," said Edouard, 
“is that M. Jolie, Jacques told me, when he saw you 
on the stage — after witnessing the figure with its 
head knocked off and her hair burnt to a crisp — 
believed it was all an illusion and that he had gone 
temporarily out of his head." 

“I hope we will always be as happy as we are 
now," said Edouard. 

“Hush," replied Marie, upbraiding Edouard. 
“You must never say that again. I never permit 
myself to have forebodings. We shall always be 
just as happy as we are now. You said 'will;' 
I say shall. And now, please remember what 1 
tell you Marie said sweetly, as she took Edouard's 
arm, “I shall never permit you to be unhappy ; 1 
shall never allow myself to become unhappy; that 
is my determination. Let us live up to it, or come 
as near as we can to such a condition." Adversity 
and extreme poverty, sickness or loss, had never 
discouraged Marie. She delivered her milk, usually 
before daylight ; she went home after her tedious 
experience of the morning, cooked the breakfast, 
assisted in all the laborious work when her aunt 
was sick ; sang, thought of pleasant things — 
laughed, and the world laughed with her. She had 
been a joyous maiden, looking on the bright side. 


94 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


and always walking in a path of roses trimmed with 
virtue. 

Marie was strong and powerful and of perfect 
health. She had carried the burden of the little 
home upon her shoulders ; she had fought through 
all the various stages of adversity and perplexity, 
and had conquered. No wonder this brave little 
girl, not quite seventeen, could say to Edouard — 
her own Edouard — '‘We shall always be just as 
happy as we are now.’’ 

'T would like to know,” remarked Edouard, as 
they were peering into the window of a famous 
jewelry store on the Rue de la Opera, “the month 
your ladyship was born in, because then we shall 
ask the kind of stone suitable for you.” They en- 
tered the store. 

“What month were you born in ?” Edouard again 
asked Marie. 

“December,” she replied, blushing. The clerk 
smiled. I suppose you want to know the stone 
adapted to a person born in that month — a birth- 
stone. He handed Edouard a small red book. As 
Edouard turned the pages, he said, quoting, “De- 
cember — Turquoise or Ruby — symbolizing brilliant 
success — which shall it be, Marie?” 

“Both,” suggested Edouard. And a ruby and a 
turquoise were quickly inserted in a two-stone gold 
ring and fitted to Marie’s finger. 

“And now,” said Edouard, “we are off to find 
success ; we are having all the happiness we want.” 

Everywhere they went people would stare at 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


95 


Marie. It was her face that adorned thousands of 
signboards and cafes in Paris. 

“Never mind/’ she said, “Let them stare. I 
don’t care a snap ; I’m impervious to all notoriety 
or fame ; I am yours ; and yours alone !” 

It was announced in the daily press next day 
that owing to repairs and reconstruction of the 
Varieties, there would be no performance for two 
weeks, and that the famous Mile. L’Inconnue 
would be removed to fill an engagement in London. 
Then the author of this movement, M. Jolie, in his 
customary sarcastic style, announced further, “Ow- 
ing to the severe strain upon Mademoiselle’s nerves 
during the past year, she not having missed a single 
performance, the lady would take a short vacation 
for a few days before appearing in London, and that 
she would await the completion of a new set of 
Marcel waves, hers being partially destroyed by an 
accident at the Grand Opera House, occasioned by 
crossing of two wires.” Many who read this still 
believed that it was a real woman, and that the 
statement was merely an advertisement inserted to 
put the people off their guard. There were many 
in Paris who would swear positively that they had 
seen the automaton referred to eating and drink- 
ing about with her director and manager, M. Jolie, 
and that she had also been seen repeatedly driving 
about Paris with Edouard, the young cousin of 
Jacques. 


96 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


'‘That man Jolie pretends he does not drink,’’ 
said a bystander, one day, in a cafe, “but I noticed 
the fixed-up woman had a penchant for drinking 
things through a straw, and old Jolie, Til wager, 
joins her/' 

The great card had come at last to Jolie. The 
leading newspaper of Paris had stated in an article 
that His Majesty had remarked, before his depar- 
ture to England, that the made-up woman he had 
seen in the opera house had entertained him wonder- 
fully. “If I should be compelled to decide," His 
Majesty had declared, “whether the woman was 
real or an imitation, I should certainly say that 
the subject was, alive. I cannot comprehend the 
art, skill and ingenuity that could construct such 
a being." 

This statement had been copied in various Lon- 
don and Parisian newspapers. M. Jolie was a 
shrewd manager, and he and Jacques had decided 
upon a plan which would earn them a great amount 
of money. The great question was, would Marie 
consent? 

Edouard had secured a servant for Aunt Placide, 
and Mme. Glenning was to be Marie's constant com- 
panion. Jolie and Jacques, at their evening suppers, 
had decided that if they could induce Marie to per- 
formx at one of the large vaudeville theatres in 
London, and have the rehabilitated figure Derforni 
alternately with her, and also both appear alter- 
nately at some other theatre — sav.the Alhambra 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


97 


and the Albion — that it would keep the variety- 
going public of London in a constant state of con- 
jecture. 

“Marie’s imitation of the automatic figure will 
certainly be a great drawing card,” said M. Jolie, 
“and the ignorant portion of the audience would 
not distinguish one from the other.” 

Jacques shook his head doubtfully. “It will 
be impossible, I am afraid, to secure her services. 
But Edouard seems to have won her confidence — 
he is with her half the time — and very likely he can 
induce her to go with us to London and perform.” 

In a few days, all preparations having been 
made, and the figure reconstructed and completed, 
“Mademoiselle” was shipped in the baggage car, 
by express, having been carefully rolled up in cot- 
ton-batting and fine tissue paper. An important 
contract had been entered into between M. Jolie, 
Jacques and Edouard, and the managers of the Al- 
bion and Alhambra theatres in London. Edouard 
had made every arrangement necessary to provide 
for Mme. Placide during their absence, and, al- 
though Marie at first did not fancy the idea of 
becoming a public performer upon the stage, she 
became more enthusiastic when she knew she would 
visit London and go sight-seeing almost every day 
during their visit there, and — better than all Edou- 
ard was to be with her, while she was being chaper- 
oned by kind Mme. Glenninsf. 

After several days’ preparation in the Alhambra 
theatre, the important “first night” arrived. The 


98 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


King's S(tatement having been published on the 
programmes and quoted in a great many news- 
papers, the street in front of the door was crowded 
for nearly half a block. There was almost a riot. 
Hundreds could not procure admission, and they, 
in turn, went over to see the imitation by Marie at 
the Albion, which was less crowded. 

After the first performers had given their per- 
formances at the Alhambra, Mile. LTnconnue was 
introduced. ‘Tt's^ a real woman; it's a fraud," they 
shouted. ‘Tt’s a humbug; throw her out! Cut her 
in two 1" Cat-calls were made and numerous hisses. 
Soon a general row occurred. Many in the audi- 
ence tried to restore quiet. M. Jolie, who had been 
studying for several months brushing up his Eng- 
lish, stepped to the front. At one time M. Jolie 
managed a London Music Hall, and knew pretty 
well how to soothe a ruffled audience. He risked 
his English. 

‘"Gentlemen," he said, “will you listen to me one 
moment? This figure is an automaton, and I will 
prove it to you in one minute if you will give me a 
chance." 

This statement was followed by another volley 
of hisses, cat-calls and groans, while a number of 
men in the boxes and in the first rows of the parquet 
jumped to their feet and demanded fair play. M. 
Jolie, accustomed to speaking under an excited 
condition of a house, smiled and remained quite 
calm. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


99 


“What evidence do yon require for me to demon- 
strate to you that this figure is as advertised — 
merely an automaton?’’ 

“Cut her head off,” one loud voice roared — 
which caused much laughter and applause. 

Jacques, who rather enjoyed the excitement, 
knowing that eventually they would come out all 
right, came forward at the request of M. Jolie. He 
turned the figure’s back to the audience, took out 
what appeared to be a panel from her back, and 
then turned on a current. The entire “insides” of 
Mile. L’Inconnue appeared to be one electric 
blaze, and much of the machinery was readily seen 
by the audience. Those who had yelled the loudest, 
returned to their seats, and yelled, “she’s all right, 
she’s all right !” and three cheers were given for M. 
Jolie and the automatic woman, and “Mademoi- 
selle’s” singing was received with marvelous effect 
upon the now quieted audience. At the end of the 
act, M. Jolie was called to the stage, and announced 
that this wonderful automatic figure would appear 
at the Alhambra every other night until further 
notice. She would also appear, alternately, every 
other night at the Albion. He also announced that 
Mile. Marie, of Paris, the most wonderful imitator 
the world has ever known, would also appear alter- 
nately in the twO' theatres mentioned, and give her 
marvelous imitation of Mile. L’Inconnue.” 


100 The Automatic Vocalist. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

D ays passed pleasantly in London, and 
Edouard, Mme. Glenning and Marie rode 
about on the busses and drove through the 
parks in an auto Edouard had secured to 
take them out, every day during their visit in 
London. They also enjoyed many afternoon per- 
formances at t h e 
other theatres. 
Marie was be- 
coming proficient 
in\ English, and 
sang many Eng- 
lish record songs, 
popular in Lon- 
don, and never 
appeared to 
weary in her efforts, to please Edouard. 

Many little incidents happened in Marie’s career 
upon the stage which were very annoying to her, 
but with the excellent companionship of Mme. 
Glenning, she paid little or no attention to what 
might have been embarrassing had she not had this 
worthy woman with her. 

The number of young loafers, many possessing 
honored names and titles, in the great metropolis 
is never known until one makes a visit to the many 
better-class vaudeville and variety theatres in Lon- 
don. Dressed in the height of fashion, owning 
automobiles, or using the family cars to entertain 




The Automatic Vocalist. 


101 


very bad company, burning up the gasoline of their 
proud parents in skylarking about the city in the 
small hours of the morning, and spending money 
they never earned — these effeminate and silly 
youths strut about the public places in the day- 
time and frequent the gayer night resorts, assum- 
ing airs usually displayed only by the higher grade 
of gamblers and professional sports. When a new 
beauty appears at any of the variety shows, they 
flock to see her. Through officials connected with 
the theatres, they find no difficulty in obtaining in- 
troductions to the reigning queens of variety. 
Young Lord Albermarle Fitzhugh Grace Martin- 
dale was a fair representative of this class. He had 
heard Marie sing, and was well pleased with her 
voice. He sought an introduction, but Marie re- 
spectfully declined. One rebuff has no effect upon 
a fop. He occupied a box one evening, with several 
of his chumSj, all of whom had been drinking, and 
he decided to send a bunch of beautiful roses to 
Marie upon the stage, prior to her appearance. 
Supposing the roses had been sent by Edouard, 
which act was a frequent occurrence, she picked 
out the largest and wore it at her breast. The 
young swells were delighted, and complimented 
his lords\hip. 

“Oh, ril get her out some night yet, for an auto 
ride,^’ he said. “They are always timid during the 
first stages of their careers, donff you know.’’ 

Several nights after this occurrence he again ap- 
peared at the Alhambra, where Marie was to sing. 


102 The Automatic Vocalist. 

Learning from Edouard that the bouquet she had 
accepted was not his, Marie decided to turn down 
the young lord for all time. The stage manager 
having taken the precaution to inform her of his 
lordship’s intentions;, Marie was prepared. After the 
first song, an usher was called to the box occupied 
by Mhrtindale, and, evidently for the purpose of 
attracting the attention of the audience, he person- 
ally handed the bouquet of roses to the usher and 
pointed to the stage. At the close of the song the 
usher went up the steps at the side of the stage to 
present Marie with the flowers. She never saw them. 
Again the usher tried to have her accept them. 
But again Marie refused to recognize him. The 
audience understood the situation at once, and the 
applause was deafening. Young Martindale 
changed color and tried to disappear behind the cur- 
tains of the box. Marie, quite self-possessed, looked 
up at the box and remarked, ‘^Take them home to 
your mammla, little boy.” 

It is unnecessary to state that this remark 
caught with the audience, and the young lord saw 
his finish. It was his final appearance at any 
theatre where Marie sang. When Marie left the 
stage to go to her dressing room the night of the 
occurrence, the stage-manager, who had noticed 
the incident, came up and shook hands with her 
heartily, saying: ''Good girl: well done! You have 
done me a great favor to-night — more than you can 
comprehend. You are as safe now from the 
'Johnnies’ as if you were surrounded by a regi- 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


103 


ment with bayonets drawn. Your ‘throwing' the 
young pup, as we call him, was the best thing that 
has happened in this theatre for years. Good girl, 
good girl. You don’t know how much I admire 
you for it.” 

The evening of this occurrence Edouard was 
assisting Jacques at the other theatre, and knew 
nothing of the incident until it was related to him 
at breakfast the ensuing morning by Mme. den- 
ning. Marie sat busily eating her toast and honey 
and sipping her coffee, and when Mme. Glenning 
had finished her story, a knowing smile flitted over 
the cup of coffee to Edouard. 

“It came out all right, dear Edouard,” she said; 
“but I will not regret the day wc leave the ^tage 
forever.” 

Many well-meaning people, afflicted with a 
trace of puritanism, inherited probably from their 
ancestors, who may have taken a hand in burning 
witches, believe that no possible virtue can exist 
among people who perform upon the variety stage. 
Marie, although but little experienced in the ways 
of the world, had discovered that one family of per- 
formers, at least, could be credited with many attri- 
butes that go to make life dearer and better. A 
French acrobatic troupe, consisting of father, 
mother, three daughters, two small sons, and a 
nephew, preceded Marie in her act every night. The 
strong arm of this mother, who could easily lift the 
entire family upon her chest while her body was 


104 The Automatic Vocalist. 

turned back like an inverted turtle, served as a 
‘'guide’’ in directing the conduct of the “children,” 
as she called them all. This troupe was drilled 
to perform the most incredible feats of strength and 
agility. Their marvelous act could only be per- 
formed by reason of their superb physical condition. 

Three somersaults in the air from the sinewy 
shoulders of the mother, alighting upon the broad 
and massive collar-bones of the father, was brave 
little Suzette’s nightly duty. To perform this seem- 
ingly impossible feat, she was compelled to use 
superior alertness and superhuman strength. Nbt 
one in a million, no matter how trained, could do it. 

The boys were living spinning tops, and the 
elderly girls giants in alertness, agility and strength. 
So tender and kind to each other were the mem- 
bers of this strange family, that even their appear- 
ance was a lesson in self-sacrifice, and their muscu- 
lar development a lecture on physical perfection. 
They appealed to Marie ; and they, also, had become 
interested in Marie. 

The superhuman strength of the parents seemed 
to have been transmitted to the children. When an 
error was made by any of the children during their 
most hazardous performance, it was followed by a 
smile and a kiss from the mother and a pleasant 
nod from the father. 

The slightest illness or nervousness on the part 
of either one of these acrobats might cause fatal 
consequences. 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


105 


They worked in harmony like the machinery of a 
clock. No serious error had been made for years. 

On Sundays — when there was no performance — 
they attended church. They seldom separated. 
They were extremely cautious about their food and 
drink. They all, including the father, looked up to 
and respected the mother. Durmg their leisure 
hours they romped and played together like school 
children. It was a most harmonious family, and no 
Christian Union could possibly produce a more vir- 
tuous, upright and respectable company than these 
acrobats. 

The question arises in one’s mind, whether the 
Great Architect, when he looks over the numerous 
makings, of his hand, does not say : “Those acrobats 
are physically perfect; it is a joy to behold them. 
I made them and they are good.” 

Several other acts Marie noticed were performed 
by refined men and w(omen, who found in this a 
method of obtaining a good livelihood. 

Legerdemain, singing, performing on musical 
instruments, dancing and acrobatic feats no doubt 
have amused and entertained audiences since the 
days of Abraham, and will continue till the end of 
the world — puritanical opinions notwithstanding. 

Marie did not so much object to the influence of 
the stage ; it was the conduct of the frequenters of 
the place that determined the simple little milk girl 
to return to her home in Paris. 


106 The Automatic Vocalist. 

The genuine attraction, after several months, 
was the “Automatic Vocalist,’’ as Mademoiselle 
L’Inconnue now became known. Managers of the 
theatres insinuated that Marie, in addition to her 
wonderful imitation act, should dance and sing in 
other acts, and they would pay her for this an extra 
large salary. They hinted at short fskirts and 
breezy songs, and said that she would fill the house 
for months if she would sO' perform. Edouard w’as 
not informed of this proposition. Marie positively 
declined to make any changes in her dress or in the 
character of her selections,, and it was decided that, 
at the termination of her contract, Edouard, Marie 
and Mme. Glenning should return to Paris, while 
M. Jolie and Jacques were toi visit other cities 
throughout England, offering Mile. L’Inconnue as 
the sole performer. The night before Marie and 
Edouard returned to Paris, Marie was disconsolate. 

“Are you sorry, Marie, that you came here?” 

“Not at all, dear Edouard; but I am glad it 
is all over. I don’t like it.” 

“Brave, girl, you have done all this for me ! I 
will never permit you to sing upon a stage again— 
Well, perhaps at a charity concert.” 

“Thank you, thank you, dear Edouard. For 
months, I have maintained my composure to please 
you. I did not want you to know what I have 
heard. How much I have been embarrassed, and 
almost offended, night after night, while upon the 
stage you will never know. I have heard remarks 
that chilled my blood. Bless you, Edouard, I am 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


107 


glad you have decided to abandon it all, because I 
would sooner deliver milk before daylight, as of 
old, than to listen to the conversation I have been 
compelled to overhear of late/’ 

^'Now,” said Edouard, “I think we both agree. 
Dear old Paris for us. I have a letter from Uncle 
Pierre, and he wants me to take an interest in the 
toy establishment of Cabot et Cie.” 

Mme. Glenning, overhearing the conversation, 
put her arms tenderly about Marie, and said, ^'My 
dear, you are too noble a girl to perform upon any 
variety stage.” 


108 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

M DORION, one of the partners of the 
great toy manufacturing firm of Cabot 
^ et Cie, had determined to retire from 
active business. Pierre Envois, who 
had always been his favorite in the workshop, was 
called to his office. 

''My Dear 
friend, Pierre,'' he 
said, '‘you have 
been faithful to 
me and the firm 
for twenty-five 
years.; I am get- 
ting old, and have 
decided to retire 
and go to my win- 
ter home on the Mediterranean, near Nice. I am 
going to give you the right to buy my interest out." 

Pierre smiled, and replied : "It would take a 
great amount to do that, sir." 

"Not so much as you would imagine, good 
Pierre. I would like to know how much you have 
saved during your connection with us." 

"I have a little over 20,000 francs in the savings 
bank, which is all I possess." 

"My interest in this firm is said to be valued at 
1,500,000 francs: it pays good dividends on that 
sum. I understand your nephews have done re- 



The Automatic Vocalist. 


109 


markably well with that marvelous automatic 
woman/' 

“Indeed, they have," replied Pierre. "It is as- 
tonishing how much money they have made, and 
to-day they are simply coining money in London. 
Mile. LTnconnue is called in that city, 'The 
Famous Automatic Vocalisit.' And that young 
woman who used to s^ell milk, and has such a divine 
voice, is with them, giving imitations of the auto- 
maton." 

“Pierre," said M. Dorion, "I am seventy, and I 
don’t believe that the firm has ever appreciated 
fully the amount of work you have done for us. In- 
ventors are seldom appreciated ; others usually reap 
the benefit of their genius and labor. I am going to 
give you a fortune." 

Pierre's face blanched slightly. He looked into 
]\I. Dorion's face steadfastly, knowing that M. 
Dorion never made a promise unless he intended 
to keep it. 

"It will not be necessary for you to mention, at 
present, to any one what I now propose. I intend 
to convey to you one-half of my entire interest in 
this firm." 

"Why, why, my dear Monsieur, you overwhelm 
me! It is too much; far too much. I have never 
earned one-tenth that amount. What have I done 
to earn all this fortune, my protector — mv dearest 
friend on earth? Your good will is all I could 
expect !" 

M. Dorion smiled, and replied, "Never mind. 


ilO The Automatic Vocalist. 

Pierre, I am through with business ; 1 will go to 
Nice this winter, i have a modest, but beautiful 
cottage there. I really enjoy the simple life. I have 
no relative but my son in the army — Henri — you 
know him. I am afraid any large sum of money 
given to him now would prove his ruination. I 
have, however, amply provided for him in my will, 
and he will inherit all my valuable improved prop- 
erty in Paris. I am not cutting him out of my 
inheritance in making this donation to you. Pierre, 
I have given this subject due consideration. So, 
when the transfer is legally and properly made, 
one-half of all my stock and interest in this concern 
will become yours.’' 

Tears filled Pierre’s eyes. 

“Now, when I think of it,” continued M. Dorion, 
“there is one request I desire to make of you, and 
it will be better, perhaps, for you to pay something 
for this interest, so as to avoid any legal complica- 
tions that may come up. The famous toy you have 
lately invented of the “walking bear” is selling won- 
derfully well. When you are installed in the firm 
as my successor, I desire that you should expend 
ten thousiand francs out of your savings to adver- 
tise this toy. By doing this, a large revenue will 
be received by the firm.” 

“Why, I will gladly do more than that, M. Dor- 
ion ; T will spend five times that sum, if you will 
permit me.” 

“No, no, Pierre ; it is unnecessary. All that is 
really necessary to do is to have a circular gotten 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


Ill 


up explaining the working of the toy, and have 
thousands of these circulars mailed to all the lead- 
ing toy dealers in Europe. This will accomplish 
the result I desire. Remember I am an old hand 
at the advertising business. I also understand that 
your nephew, Edouard, desires to become interested 
in toy manufacturing. Should he desire to buy 
one-fourth of my interest, leaving me still one- 
fourth, he may do so at a lower cash price than I 
would dispose of the same to any other person. I 
admire that boy and love him, and he would be- 
come a valuable accession to the business. He is a 
great manager for a young fellow of his; age. You 
might notify him of this proposition and try and 
bring the sale about. That boy has youth and 
brains. I like him very much.^’ 

M. Jolie decided to visit Liverpool, Manchester, 
and many cities before returning to the continent, 
as the fame of the mechanical woman was spreading 
everywhere, and Jacques decided that, as they 
would remain a week or two in each city. Mile. 
LTnconnue’s repertoire was sufficient to supply 
them during the entire trip. And even if they 
should require a certain song, Marie could sing it 
in the records and Edouard could forward it to 
them. M. Jolie, however, was inclined to the belief 
that, in the cities they were about to visit, records 
of songs not quite so refined would be prefer- 
able; and, if this should occur, other voices than 
Marie’s could be used to advantage. 

M. Jolie said, ''We will appear in halls fre- 


112 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


quented by the working classes, who delight in 
catchy and topical songs.'’ 

, It was a slight parting of the ways, and al- 
though Edouard was to retain an interest in the 
profits of his invention, he rejoiced at the expect- 
ancy of a business more suited to his taste, and he 
frequently said to Marie, on their way back to 
Paris: ^^My dear, I am glad we are out of it all. 
And how I loved you when you scorned that man- 
ager's, proposition to wear short skirts and sing 
breezy songs. Oh, how proud I was of you; oh, 
how proud I was of you !" 

Placing her hand gently on Edouard's shoulder, 
she replied, ''Edouard, I am yours always, depend 
on me — yours for everything that is right." 

Uncle Pierre rejoiced at Edouard's return to 
Paris, and Edouard also was delighted to hear of 
the proposition made to Uncle Pierre by M. Dorion. 
Edouard's cash balance in the Bank of France was 
sufficient to pay the amount demanded by M. Dor- 
ion for one-fourth of his interest in the firm, the 
face value of which was largely discounted by the 
kindly old gentleman. 

Aunt Placide was overwhelmed with joy to have 
Marie back, and decided to accept Edouard's propo- 
sition to move into a suitable apartment, rent the 
cottage, and sublet the milk business. 

A year passed. Jacques and M. Jolie, after a 
most successful financial trip, also returned to 
Paris, where a joyful meeting was held in which 
M. Jolie, Jacques, Edouard, Marie and Mme. Glen • 


The Automatic Vocalist. 


113 


ing all took part. The days rolled by. Marie was 
true to her word. She was never unhappy, and 
never permitted Edouard to become despondent for 
a minute. Many pleasant drives and visits were 
made, in which Jacques — and even M. Jolie— fre- 
quently joined them. Mme. Glenning, well sup- 
plied with funds by the liberal Edouard, who was 
fast becoming a man of wealth, returned to Eng- 
land and went to live with her former friends. 

Another tranquil year passed, and then a wed- 
ding took place. Marie appeared more beautiful 
than ever in her bridal trousseau. And Edouard, 
grown to be a handsome man, although still so 
young, was as happy as a mortal could possibly be. 
M. Jolie, Uncle Pierre, and Jacques tendered many 
handsome and valuable presents to the bride. And, 
at Edouard’s request, they all went together for a 
long trip after the ceremony in two large autos. 
Driving through a delightful portion of sunny 
Erance, many happy hours were passed; and, as 
they were sitting one summer evening on the large 
piazza of a famous hotel in Nice, in walked M. 
Dorion to offer his most profound congratulations. 

M. Jolie and Jacques received a business dis- 
patch to return at once to Paris. And, after a few 
weeks’ of wedded bliss, Marie said to Edouard : 

^‘Dear, you have your real electric sweetheart 
now, and I have my own Edouard. Let us go 
home.” 


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